In the high-stakes world of professional darts, where precision and mental fortitude reign supreme, world No. 1 Luke Humphries faced an unexpected challenge off the oche earlier this month. Following a candid interview at the International Darts Open in Germany, the 2024 World Champion revealed the toll of an unrelenting schedule, admitting that playing darts had become a “chore” and left him feeling “emotionless.” His honesty, however, sparked a fierce backlash on social media, with some fans accusing the 30-year-old of ingratitude given his lucrative career. Reflecting on the ordeal in a recent interview, Humphries admitted to a mental “wobble,” saying, “I went through a little wobble. Sometimes it’s nice if some people are nice to you in that moment.” The episode has left the darts superstar vowing to guard his emotions, reshaping how he navigates his public persona.
Humphries’ comments came after a dominant 6-1 victory over Dirk van Duijvenbode in the second round of the International Darts Open, his 11th tournament of 2025. Despite the win, his post-match interview revealed a player drained by the sport’s demanding calendar, which includes weekly Premier League Darts appearances and frequent European Tour events. “I feel a bit emotionless,” he confessed. “I feel like my emotions are all over the place. It’s not that I don’t want to be here, it just seems a chore for me at the moment. I’m playing too much. I need to give something away, I need a break. It’s not good for my mental state.” These raw words, intended to connect with fans, instead ignited criticism, with some online detractors arguing that Humphries, who earned £500,000 for his 2024 World Championship title, should feel fortunate rather than fatigued.
The backlash hit Humphries hard, prompting an emotional response on X the following day. “Considering the comments and people not understanding what I meant, it will be the last time I ever confess my real feelings to the public,” he wrote. “Everything I say or ever do just never seems to be good enough for anybody. As long as no one complains when we all give the same answers in interviews like robots and not our true feelings.” The sting of being misunderstood led Humphries to reconsider his openness, a decision he later described as a lesson in self-preservation. “Sometimes you say things that don’t do you any favours,” he told Sky Sports, reflecting on the incident. “That’s why it’s best off not to say anything at all.”
Humphries’ struggles resonate within the darts community, where the sport’s surging popularity—fueled by teenage sensation Luke Littler—has intensified schedules. Littler, the 2025 World Champion and Premier League leader, empathized, saying, “Yeah, totally agree with him. I think Gerwyn Price said the same thing. It’s tough, especially when these players go over to the likes of Riesa, you’ve got to get trains, connecting flights.” Price, a former world champion, echoed the sentiment on Instagram after his own International Darts Open loss, writing, “Gutted to lose today but so happy to be on the way home. Too much darts atm.” Sky Sports pundit Mark Webster defended Humphries, noting, “I think Humphries is just expressing his feelings. It doesn’t matter if you’re world No. 1, you can still struggle in the game at times.”
The darts star’s openness about his mental health is not new. Humphries has previously shared his battles with anxiety, including a 2018 on-stage panic attack that nearly ended his career. His 2023 transformation—shedding four stone through exercise and healthy eating—bolstered his stamina and confidence, culminating in a stellar run of four major titles, including the 2024 World Championship, where he defeated Littler 7-4. Yet, 2025 has been challenging, with Humphries reaching the semi-finals in Germany but falling to Stephen Bunting, and exiting the World Championship in the last 16 to Peter Wright. Despite these setbacks, he remains a force, winning the 2025 World Masters and two of six Premier League nightly finals.
Support has poured in from those closest to Humphries. His fiancée, Kayley Jones, posted on social media, “Keep doing what you’re doing. You’re making us all so proud,” a message echoed by Sky Sports’ Emma Paton, who called Humphries “a credit to darts.” As he prepares for Night 10 of the Premier League in Manchester, Humphries is focused on balancing his schedule, a sentiment Littler endorsed: “I think Luke knows now he has to balance his schedule. Just like myself, just focus on the Premier League.” With the darts world watching, Humphries’ journey through adversity continues to inspire, proving that even champions face struggles—but their resilience defines them.