Darts star and “big tennis fan” Luke Littler is hoping to meet Carlos Alcaraz at next month’s Laureus Sports Awards in Madrid, where the 19-year-old has made history as the first darts player shortlisted for the Breakthrough of the Year Award.
He faces tough competition from Formula One driver Lando Norris and Paris St Germain’s Champions League winner Desire Doue.
Often dubbed ‘The Oscars of Sport’, the Laureus awards saw Alcaraz win the breakthrough accolade in 2023 and he is now nominated for World Sportsman of the Year.
He won the French Open and US Open last year before completing the career grand slam by claiming the Australian Open title in January, with Littler humorously noting Alcaraz’s latest victory in Melbourne “won me some money”.
Littler, after defending his UK Open title in Minehead by beating James Wade in Sunday’s final, expressed his eagerness to meet Alcaraz.
“The nominations came out and I didn’t really look at too many of them,” the two-time world champion said.
“But Carlos Alcaraz has been nominated and hopefully I can meet him. I’m a big tennis fan and I think at the Newcastle media day that morning or the day before he won me some money against (Novak) Djokovic.”
Last week, Littler shared his pride on Instagram: “Thank you @laureussport being the first darts player to be nominated for the Laureus world breakthrough of the year award is a huge honour.”
The teenager quipped about his rapid ascent: “I’m in for the breakthrough of the year – and I think I’ve broken through twice now! It’s obviously massive.
“It’s an absolutely amazing feeling. I’ve not checked the nominees but I’m sure’s there going to be loads of sport stars out there.”
Littler is due to be back in Premier League action on Thursday night in Nottingham.
