World No 1 Luke Humphries admits it is going to be unattainable to copy final 12 months’s darting dominance forward of his World Grand Prix defence.
World champion Humphries produced a surprising spell in the course of the latter levels of 2023, earlier than fulfilling his darting future at Alexandra Palace in January.
The world No 1 scooped three televised rating titles throughout a 49-day spell from October to November 2023, following up his World Grand Prix success with wins on the Grand Slam of Darts and Gamers Championship Finals.
Humphries has gone from energy to energy, along with his World Championship triumph elevating him to the highest of the sport.
“The World Grand Prix will always hold great memories for me,” mentioned Humphries, who goes by the moniker ‘Cool Hand’.
“The actual fact it was my first main match win makes it particular, and it was the catalyst to permit me to go on and win all the pieces else.
“If I didn’t win the World Grand Prix, the last 12 months could have been completely different for me, but it gave me the confidence to win a lot more, and I’ll always be grateful for that.”
Humphries 5-2 victory in opposition to Gerwyn Worth in Leicester sparked an unimaginable profitable streak, with solely Luke Littler denying him within the Premier League ultimate at London’s O2 in Could.
He mentioned: “Sitting here now – I’ve made eight or nine major finals in 12 months which is something quite incredible, and something I may not be able to do again!
“It is extremely powerful, however I simply need to hold working laborious, taking part in nicely and I’ll attempt to elevate as many main titles as I can.
“I won’t be putting too much pressure on myself to try and retain every trophy that I’ve won, because it’s going to be almost impossible to replicate what I did last year.
“I all the time say my objective is to choose up a few main titles yearly, and in the event you try this, you may be sat within the prime 4 for a very long time.
“I’m not going to get too ahead of myself, but to retain my first title and get the ball rolling early would be the perfect way to start a really important end to the year.”
Is Humphries a darting nice?
Humphries is now being talked about in the identical bracket as greats Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen.
“It feels amazing to be mentioned in that bracket,” he mentioned. “Phil and Michael are two of the players I’ve looked up to throughout my career.
“Once I first began watching darts, it was all about Phil Taylor and him profitable all the pieces, and once I began to play competitively, it was the Michael van Gerwen period!
“I can now always say I have had the kind of year that Phil and Michael have enjoyed – that 12-month period of dominance.
“It is one thing that’s extremely pleasing for me, one thing I by no means dreamed of doing in such a brief area of time.
“The 2023/24 season will always live long in the memory, regardless of what happens in my career now.”
Humphries set for Bunting check in Leicester
The world No 1 will start his title defence in opposition to Masters champion Stephen Bunting as he bids to hitch Taylor and Van Gerwen in changing into the third participant to retain the World Grand Prix crown.
“When you’re on the big stage, it feels different. I feel better than ever on that big stage,” Humphries claimed.
“I know I’ve got a really tough game against Stephen because he’s usually so strong on his doubles, but these are the moments I live for now.
“I need to play the perfect and be concerned in these nice video games, and hopefully it is an amazing World Grand Prix. I’d like to retain it.”
Humphries edged out Bunting 8-7 in the final of Players Championship 26 in Wigan on Thursday – just four days before they meet again at the Mattioli Arena.
Bunting, who lost all three Pro Tour finals in Wigan, said: “I’ve had two semi-finals on the World Grand Prix earlier than and I’ve overwhelmed Humphries earlier than. He is a incredible participant, however he isn’t unbeatable and I’ve acquired to ensure that I play my greatest recreation.
“He’s world number one and expected to win. There’s not many people who expect me to win apart from myself.”
What dwell darts is subsequent on Sky Sports activities?
Dwell darts returns to Sky Sports activities with the BoyleSports World Grand Prix in Leicester from October 7-13, that includes among the sport’s very largest stars.
The annual £600,000 match will happen on the Mattioli Area in Leicester, as 32 of the world’s prime stars compete for the coveted title which was gained by Luke Humphries.
Then in November, the Grand Slam of Darts will probably be hosted in Wolverhampton as Luke Humphries appears to defend his title.
Consideration then turns to the flip of the 12 months and the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship, starting on December 15, because the darts calendar continues to supply pleasure all year long – and you may take pleasure in the perfect right here dwell on Sky Sports activities.
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