DARTS icon Simon Whitlock is determined to return to the World Championship after a year of absence from the elite stage.
Whitlock, 56, is set to headline the new ANZ Premier League at Melbourne’s John Cain Arena on Saturday.
The Aussie thrower has largely played local tournaments, senior tour events and exhibitions this year.
However, the Wizard is determined to use this new league as a launching pad that will bring him back against the world’s biggest darts stars.
Whitlock told Fox Sports: “I’m a little bit nervous, there’s a bit of pressure on me.
“I’ve been winning a few of my local tournaments, which are really tough. We’ve got some great players in our local tournaments.”
Whitlock knows very well what he’d be up against if he returned at top-level darts.
The two-time World Championship finalist took on Luke Littler at the World Series of Darts in Amsterdam last month.
Littler, 18, came from 4-3 down to win their first-round match with a score of 6-4.
But the Australian ace knows how to beat the Nuke as they faced off many times during lockdown and always overcame the teenage sensation.
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Whitlock added: “I played Luke Littler recently and pushed him all the way, so my form’s good. I felt as though I was a little unlucky.
“I had him in trouble and then he somehow pulled out some big check-outs and then I missed a dart to go to the last leg.
“Could have been five-all and I would have had the walk, but it was a great game.
“The funny thing is I played Luke Littler in lockdown and I never lost to him.
“He was only a kid then, but I’ve got some good history against him.”
