Luke Humphries has sent a bold message to his darts rivals ahead of the Players Championship Finals, reminding them that despite his early exit from the Grand Slam of Darts earlier this month, he’s more determined than ever and excited to be back playing. The 29-year-old, who claimed his maiden World Darts Championship title at the start of the year by defeating Luke Littler in the final at Alexandra Palace, is eager to show his resilience after a difficult few weeks in Wolverhampton. Despite a disappointing early departure from the Grand Slam, Humphries’ mindset has shifted to a positive outlook, and he’s now focused on making a deep run in Minehead, where he returns as the reigning champion after his victory in last year’s tournament.
In a candid and reflective interview, Humphries spoke exclusively to Ladbrokes ahead of the Players Championship Finals, which will take place over three days in Minehead. The tournament has traditionally been one of the most anticipated events in the darts calendar, drawing top talent from across the globe, and Humphries is certainly eager to defend his crown. Having been knocked out of the Grand Slam earlier this month in the group stages after losses to Rowby-John Rodriguez and James Wade, Humphries admitted it wasn’t the result he hoped for but made it clear that he was not dwelling on it. Instead, he’s used the experience to fuel his determination as he prepares for the next challenge.
Reflecting on his early exit from the Grand Slam, Humphries said, “I’m feeling good, going back to Minehead as reigning champion, having not really been there in the Grand Slam last week. Unfortunately, you can’t win everything. You have to accept that early exits from major tournaments are sometimes going to happen – I’m not going to take anything else from that week.” While Humphries would have loved to have gone deeper in the Grand Slam and fought for the title, he explained that he was taking a positive approach to the situation. “Obviously, I’d have loved to have been in the Grand Slam right until the very end, but I’m treating that early exit as a blessing in disguise really because it’s probably been the longest time I’ve spent at home in the last 15 months.”
This rare opportunity for a break allowed Humphries to focus on what truly matters to him outside of darts—his family. As one of the most dedicated professionals in the sport, Humphries spends much of his time traveling and competing, often leaving his family behind. The extended period of rest has given him the chance to reconnect with his loved ones, particularly his young son, who often doesn’t get to see his father as much as he would like. “I’ve really enjoyed it because I’ve been able to spend some time with my son, who doesn’t get to see his dad all that much at the moment,” Humphries said. “So I’ve fully embraced my time at home, really enjoyed myself. I’m feeling nice and refreshed, and I’m actually looking forward to playing darts again now.”
Humphries’ break from the sport has also given him time to reset mentally and physically. He admitted that the past 15 months had been a blur, with constant travel and tournaments taking a toll on him. “The last 15 months or so have been a bit of a blur for me, playing pretty much day-in, day-out,” he said. “But I didn’t pick the darts up for a full week. I put them down and just wanted to take a bit of a break from it. But now I’m refreshed and ready to go again.” This new sense of energy and enthusiasm could prove to be a powerful weapon as Humphries heads into the Players Championship Finals, where he’ll kick off his campaign against Germany’s Gabriel Clemens. If all goes well, he could even meet Luke Littler, who has shown plenty of promise in recent months, in a potential rematch further down the line.
Looking ahead to the tournament, Humphries expressed confidence in his ability to perform at a high level. However, he also emphasized the importance of keeping his focus on the bigger picture. The Players Championship Finals, while prestigious, are merely a stepping stone on the road to the World Darts Championship, which remains the ultimate goal for any player. Humphries made it clear that no matter the outcome in Minehead, he will be aiming to put in strong performances to help build his confidence for the World Championship. “Whatever happens this weekend, if you’re not going to win the trophy you’re going to want to put in a good couple of performances to put you in good spirits heading into the World Championships,” he explained.
Nevertheless, Humphries also acknowledged the unpredictable nature of darts and how quickly fortunes can change. “But I know myself, if things don’t go your way in Minehead, it doesn’t mean you won’t win the Worlds,” he said. “And if it does go your way, it doesn’t mean you will win it. The World Championship is a completely different calibre of tournament to the rest – you have to have a lot of mental strength and technical ability to win a world title.” This recognition of the unique challenges posed by the World Darts Championship reflects Humphries’ maturity and understanding of the sport at the highest level.
As Humphries prepares to take on the likes of Clemens and others in the Players Championship Finals, there’s no doubt that his focus will remain firmly on the task at hand. His experience, resilience, and newfound energy will likely make him a formidable competitor as he looks to defend his title. But beyond Minehead, the World Darts Championship looms large, and Humphries’ ambitions are clear: to prove that he is not just a one-time champion, but a player capable of dominating on the biggest stage in darts. For now, though, Humphries is ready to enjoy the competition and show the darts world that despite setbacks, he’s more than capable of bouncing back stronger than ever.