Luke Littler has opened up about his whirlwind year and revealed the advice legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson gave him.
Nest, 17, has had a remarkable 12 months, with the teenage sensation helping to transform the sport of darts after appearing at last year's world championship.
Littler, who lost to Luke Humphries in the final, has won ten professional titles, including the prestigious Premier League of Darts, earning him more than £1 million in prize money.
The 17-year-old, who also has four perfect nine-darters to his name, has secured a string of commercial deals and is the favorite for this year's World Championship, which starts on Sunday.
Following his exploits last Christmas, Manchester United fan Littler was invited to the club's training ground, where he did a 180 in front of a stunned first-team squad.
He also made a trip to Old Trafford in January and watched United's 2-2 draw against Tottenham from the managerial field, with the 17-year-old getting the chance to meet Ferguson before kick-off.
And speaking to The Telegraph, Littler – who was this week named in the shortlist for BBC's Sports Personality of the Year – reflected on his encounter with the legendary Scot – and revealed the little problem he faced.
“I didn't really understand him…,” Littler said. “I heard him say, 'keep hanging in there'.”
Part of Littler's charm is his innate natural talent, coupled with his laissez-faire approach to the game.
The 17-year-old explained earlier this year that he only practices 30 minutes a day, but spends most of his time on his Xbox.
He also claimed that he often doesn't go to bed until the early morning hours before staying in bed until the afternoon.
And ahead of this year's World Championship – where much is expected of Littler – it seems like not much has changed when the 17-year-old was asked how he plans to prepare.
“Lots of sleep, practice, Xbox, chilling,” he added. 'An hour to an hour and a half [a day] on the plate.
'Keep the arm loose. [But] mainly just chilling… [see] some friends… sometimes go out with them, otherwise just chill in my bedroom, play my game, on my phone.
'Of course I want to lift the trophy, but the pressure and the fact that I'm the favorite don't really interest me. I just play my game.”
During his visit to United earlier this year, the club hosted Littler for a photo shoot and presented him with the shirt every fan covets: a top with his nickname and favorite number on the back.
Littler posed on the edge of the Old Trafford pitch and held up the shirt, the back emblazoned with 'THE NUKE' – his darts nickname – and the number 180.
He thanked the club on social media after the match as he shared the photo of himself with Ferguson.
United also helped organize well-wishes from players Jonny Evans and Luke Shaw as Littler prepared for the World Cup final.
'I now have a lot of followers. I've had a message from Luke Shaw, from Manchester United, from Rio Ferdinand, and I've had a message from Gary Neville and Jonny Evans before my game against Barney,” Littler told the BBC in January.
Littler kicks off its World Cup campaign with a second round tie against the winner of Farron Sherrock vs Ryan Meikle on Saturday, December 21.
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