The World Matchplay, a prestigious darts tournament, has a storied history marked by dominance from legends like Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen. From 1994 to 2014, Taylor clinched 15 titles at the Winter Gardens, making title defenses appear effortless. His legacy is so significant that the trophy is named in his honor.

Michael van Gerwen continued this tradition with back-to-back victories in 2015 and 2016, defeating James Wade and Taylor himself, showcasing his title prowess. Heading into these tournaments, MVG held multiple championships, including the World Grand Prix and Premier League titles, establishing himself as world No. 1.

However, this trend of domination waned, with Van Gerwen only securing the Matchplay title once despite his successes in the late 2010s. Luke Littler, the current world No. 1 and reigning champion, aims to break this decade-long drought by retaining his Matchplay title. Littler's impressive resume includes victories in the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts, and World Championship.

The stakes are high for Littler; a successful title defense could solidify his path toward a clean sweep of the season. He has already achieved consecutive World Championship wins, a feat Van Gerwen himself struggled with.

As the Matchplay approaches, Littler's recent activities, including his participation in the World Series in America, have raised questions about his readiness. Nonetheless, experts believe that a win at the Matchplay could reignite his ambitions for subsequent tournaments, including the upcoming event in Minehead.

The World Matchplay kicks off on July 18 and concludes on July 26, setting the stage for Littler's quest for history.