Bunting: Rivals Relieved by Littler's Recent Struggles
Stephen Bunting has acknowledged that Luke Littler's recent dip in form has provided welcome relief to the rest of the darts tour, speaking ahead of the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton. Littler, the two-time world champion and world number one, dominated the first half of 2026 by winning the opening five major tournaments, but has since suffered a quarter-final exit at the World Series of Darts Finals, a first-round defeat at the Grand Prix, and a last-eight loss at the European Championship.
"There's probably a deep sigh of relief when he goes out of a tournament, I'm not going to lie," Bunting told the Press Association. "I like him. He's a fantastic lad. I've grown to know him over the last probably 10 years and he's a good friend of mine. I wish him all the best in his career until he plays me."
Bunting, who secured his place at the Grand Slam via the Tour Card qualifier, also highlighted the strong rivalry between the two players, noting that the improving standard across the tour is pushing everyone to new levels. "We have great rivalry, not just me and Luke, but me and most of the other players, to be honest," he added. "I think just the way the standard keeps improving, it keeps pushing us to other levels, other boundaries, if we keep improving."
Littler Eyes Return to Winning Ways at Grand Slam
Littler will attempt to return to winning form at the Grand Slam of Darts, which begins on Saturday at WV Active Aldersley. The 2026 Mr Vegas Grand Slam features a new format this year, with the field expanded from 32 to 48 players and 16 groups of three, with only the group winner advancing to the last 16. Littler has been drawn into what is arguably the most difficult group, facing Beau Greaves and Niels Zonneveld in Group A. He is aiming to become only the third player, after Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen, to win three consecutive Grand Slam titles.
Despite Littler's recent setbacks, Bunting stressed that the young star remains the player to beat. "He's a fantastic lad" Bunting reiterated, underscoring the friendly but competitive dynamic between the two. The pair also share an unusual connection away from the oche, as they co-own a racehorse together.
Context: A Season of Highs and Lows
Littler's early-season dominance had him on course for an unprecedented clean sweep of major titles in a calendar year, a feat never achieved in the sport. His five consecutive major victories left rivals searching for answers, but the subsequent early exits have reopened the door for the chasing pack. The 19-year-old remains the reigning world champion and world number one, but the aura of invincibility has been dented.
For Bunting, the shift presents an opportunity. The Liverpudlian's only major title came at the 2024 World Masters, an event Littler did not qualify for. Now, with Littler showing vulnerability, Bunting believes he is playing some of the best darts of his career and is confident of adding to his silverware. "I feel like the confidence is there," he said. "I feel like I'm in a good place. I feel like I'm playing some of the best darts I have ever done. So with that, obviously the confidence comes. That imprint in my brain that I'm good enough to win titles again."
Grand Slam a Key Momentum Builder
Bunting emphasized the importance of the upcoming trio of major tournaments—the Grand Slam, the Players Championship, and the World Championship—as crucial confidence builders. "Three really big tournaments coming up, obviously all leading towards the World Championships, but the two before (Grand Slam and Players Championships) are exceptionally important because that gives you that confidence to go on for the Worlds," he added.
Perspective: A More Competitive Darts Landscape
Littler's temporary slump, combined with Bunting's comments, reflects a broader trend in professional darts: the gap between the elite and the rest of the field is narrowing. While Littler's five-major run demonstrated his extraordinary talent, the depth of the tour is such that even a slight drop in form is punished. Bunting's admission that players breathe a sigh of relief when Littler exits is a candid reminder of the psychological hold the young champion has had on his peers.
As the Grand Slam gets underway, all eyes will be on Littler to see if he can rediscover the form that made him seemingly unbeatable. For Bunting and the chasing pack, the hope is that the downturn continues—at least until they meet on the oche. The tournament, which runs through next week, will provide the first major test of whether Littler's wobble is a blip or a lasting shift in the darts hierarchy.
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