Luke Littler reacts to shock first-round exit at World Grand Prix after practice admission

In one of the biggest upsets of the year, defending champion Luke Littler was eliminated from the World Grand Prix on Monday night after an opening round defeat to Luke Woodhouse.

Littler, who spent the past week on the exhibition circuit in Blackpool, Rotherham and Skegness, was hoping to bounce back from his quarter-final exit to Jonny Clayton in last week's World Series of Darts in Amsterdam.

However, the teenager struggled with the double-start format and averaged just 82.41 as world number 18 Woodhouse secured his place in the second round with a hard-fought 2-1 victory.

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Taking to Instagram after the rare blip, Littler was gracious in defeat. “Well played @lukewoody180 was a good game," he wrote. "Luke took his chance and nice week off now, all the best to [him] for rest of the tournament.”

The 19-year-old then appeared to share his plans for the weekend. "May as well get myself to Old Trafford now I'm out," he said, referring to Saturday's Super League Grand Final between Warrington Wolves and Wakefield Trinity.

Littler will witness history if he does attend the fixture. The 2026 Grand Final marks the first time that none of St Helens, Leeds Rhinos or Wigan Warriors have been involved in proceedings.

Littler congratulates Woodhouse on his victory. Image credit: Sky Sports

Luke Littler made practice admission ahead of Luke Woodhouse game

As mentioned above, Littler has spent the past week playing exhibition matches in Blackpool, Rotherham and Skegness.

Ahead of his first-round game against Woodhouse, he gave an insight into why he opted to go on the circuit. “I’ve done three exhibitions, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and had yesterday off," he said, as per Oche180.

"Everyone is saying it’s not fun because they are probably backstage needing to hit the doubles. But whereas myself I only practice legs of 501. That’s what I am doing tonight. But with double start.”

Last year, Littler beat Luke Humphries 6-1 in the World Grand Prix final. He was the overwhelming favourite to retain his title after winning all but one of the TV ranking majors this year, but it wasn't to be on Monday evening.

Luke Woodhouse reacts to win over defending champion Luke Littler

Woodhouse, who will take on Nathan Aspinall in the second round of this year's World Grand Prix, was keen to voice his support for Littler after his unexpected win.

"Luke's not a robot," said Woodhouse. "He's going to have days and weeks and whatever where he's not right on it but look I think people have echoed it and I'm going to say it again, he's one of a kind Luke.

"I hope people will take the time to appreciate how good he is and not give him a hard time. Really stick behind him. You might not see another Luke Littler ever again.

"He's done for the game what Phil and Michael van Gerwen and Raymond [van Barneveld] and Gary [Anderson] and all them have done for the game and he's taken it to the next level.

"I just hope people will get behind him and give him the support and appreciate what a top talent he is."

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