What Michael van Gerwen said to Luke Littler after he saw darts world champion crying

Michael van Gerwen gave a humorous response to Luke Littler's tears after the latter's magnificent triumph at the PDC World Darts Championship.

The 17-year-old prodigy outclassed the three-time world champion 7-3 in Friday's final, making history by breaking Van Gerwen's record as the youngest-ever champion by seven years.

Littler couldn't hold back his emotions, crying after securing his victory with double 16 as the Dutchman showed sportsmanship by comforting the teenager and offering advice.

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At the post-match press conference, Littler shared that Van Gerwen's initial words to him were: "Keep crying boy!" He recalled further details: "After it I think he said, 'Well done', but when we were on the side, he obviously saw me crying he said, 'Keep crying boy!'"

Despite his defeat, the 35-year-old was full of commendation for Littler, reports the Mirror. Reflecting on the teen's supreme talent, he said: "I'm 35, he's 17. Every 17 years, a star gets born.

"He deserves it, he played well. It hurts, but that's how it should be. If it doesn't hurt, you're not going to be a sportsman. I have to move on and make sure I keep playing better."

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Van Gerwen looked back regretfully at his slow start in the final which allowed Littler to swiftly take a 4-0 lead that ultimately set the stage for the championship outcome. "I went 4-0 behind and after that I thought I wasn't doing myself any justice, but that's the way it is," he conceded.

"You need to try to fight and battle back and I think after going 4-0 down, I was definitely not the worst player out of us. But fair play to him, every chance he got and every moment he had to hurt me, he did.

"I had a lovely tournament and I enjoyed every moment of it. We all know I've come from a far distance and I've been battling my own game, but at the beginning of the game I was letting myself down too much and when you do that against a player with his ability, you're going to be in trouble.

"You have to take it on the chin, move on and walk off the stage as a champion. I always take my hat off to the people that beat me and if they beat me in a good game, fair play to them. That's how sport works."