Humphries fires back at hecklers after fiery World Grand Prix victory

LUKE HUMPHRIES says he was happy to “give it back” to hecklers after celebrating wildly following his World Grand Prix victory.

The world No3 produced a huge reaction at the end of his 2-0 first-round win over Dave Chisnall in Leicester.

Humphries, 31, had been subjected to some stick from sections of the crowd during the contest before letting his emotions out once he had sealed the triumph.

Cool Hand admits there is a line between giving players grief and being able to take it when the tables are turned.

He said: “I'm not going to make it too much about them, because it's about me winning and Gary winning. But yeah, people in the crowd, sometimes they have a massive influence. You try and ignore them for so long, and I did ignore them.

“They wasn't affecting me when I was playing. But obviously when I won, you kind of want to give it back to them. Because it's just like football.

“If you give it, you've got to take it. And I think they didn't like taking it in the end. But, you know, if you're going to give it, you've got to take it.

“And I'm one of them people as well. If I give it, then I'll take it as well. Yeah, I was quite happy to give them a little bit in the end, to be fair.

“But, you know, that's just to be banter as a whole. It didn't really... It wasn't the reason why I didn't play very good. Nothing to do with them. It was more my own problem. So, yeah, I just got to buck my ideas up and start playing a lot better than that.”

Humphries now has the chance to turn an emotional opening night into another deep run as he faces Jermaine Wattimena in the last 16.

There is plenty at stake for the Cheshire thrower beyond simply keeping his title bid alive.

Victory at the Mattioli Arena would give Humphries a NINTH major title, moving him clear of Gary Anderson and Peter Wright and into fifth on the all-time list.

Humphries is now the favourite for the title after rival Luke Littler crashed out in the first round, but he admits he hates the pressure that comes with it.

He added: “Yeah, to be honest, I hate it when he loses because it almost puts the pressure on myself.

“Then everyone's like, right, this is yours to win and all this type of stuff. And I hate it. I hate it when he loses because I want to play him in finals.

"I want to beat him in finals. I want to lose, you know, I don't want to lose to him in finals. But I like playing in the finals because it gets me up for it.

“And then they call me stupid. But yeah, I just obviously when he loses, I'm not like jumping for joy. I'm obviously disappointed that he's not here.

"But yeah, it puts all the pressure on myself. And maybe sometimes it don't help me.

“So I'd rather him still be in the tournament and be the favourite.”