HUMPHRIES EXPLAINS WHY LITTLER HAS THE EDGE IN RIVALRY
16/11/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
LUKE HUMPHRIES has confessed he cannot hit top gear as often as Luke Littler who produces his A-game “time after time”.
‘Cool Hand’ will lose his world No1 spot if teen sensation Littler beats Danny Noppert in the Grand Slam semi-final on Sunday afternoon.
Former world champ Humphries takes on Gerwyn Price as he chases a THIRD major crown of the year after scooping the World Masters and the Premier League.
The lethal Lukes have ruled darts for the past two years and sit as the top two stars on the planet, but Humphries admits his young rival has a level of ruthless consistency he is still trying to match.
He said: “I think you just say things in the moment, but I think his ceiling is a lot more consistent than mine.
“I can perform at these levels, but I don’t maybe do it as often as he does. Maybe that’s just a credit to him.
“He’s got such a great throw, and he just does it time after time.
“Of course I’d love to meet in the final. I know that wouldn’t go my way being one number one. But I love playing him.
“I get on really well with him and it’s always a good prospect playing him in a good final.
“I really get up for it, and he does as well. For myself, I have to win the worlds to be world number one.
“If I don’t win the worlds then I won’t be anyway. So, this is all just a little bit of a free run for me.”
Warrington thrower Littler can claim more history should he defend the crown he won last year.
Only Phil Taylor, Gerwyn Price, and Michael van Gerwen have ever managed to win this tournament back to back.
Humphries insists he was not putting himself down with his comments about Littler and says he was simply giving an honest take on where the pair stand as he pushes to reach even bigger heights.
He added: “I know you’re kind of saying you shouldn’t really be negative. I’m not, I’m not. I think he just does it a lot more, like these big 100 plus averages.
“But now I’m starting to feel a little bit comfortable. I can perform at that level as well.
“We’re close to each other, but at the moment he’s got the edge. It’s up to me to get better and try and keep on his tail.”
Image by Taylor Lanning.
