Luke Littler is not expected to quit professional darts despite facing repeated hostile reactions from fans during recent tournaments. The 19-year-old world number one lost in the quarter-finals of the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam to Jonny Clayton, ending his bid for a clean sweep of the Professional Darts Corporation’s (PDC) major televised events this calendar year.

During the match in Amsterdam, Littler was met with jeers and whistles from the crowd, prompting him to suggest he might avoid playing in the Netherlands in the future. This is not the first time the young player has faced targeted abuse, having previously been booed by German spectators during the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt earlier this year.

Sky Sports Darts presenter Mark Webster expressed his belief that Littler will continue his professional career despite the negative treatment. “No, I don’t think he is going to [quit],” Webster said. He acknowledged Littler was clearly upset by the reception he received in the Netherlands, where the local crowd was supportive of home favorite Danny Noppert. Webster added that Littler might choose to limit his participation in certain venues in the future, saying, “He doesn’t really need to go to the Netherlands. He can cherry pick.”

Littler’s standing as the world number one and his recent performances have made him a prominent figure in the sport, but the mixed reactions from fans highlight the pressures faced by rising stars in professional darts.