As the 2024 PDC darts season draws to a close, all eyes are now turning to **Alexandra Palace**, where the **PDC World Darts Championship** will take center stage next month. For **Luke Humphries**, the defending world champion, this marks the beginning of an exciting opportunity to etch his name into the history books once again. With **Humphries** eyeing a back-to-back world title, the 29-year-old is determined to prove he’s still the man to beat, even if things don’t go according to plan at this week’s **Grand Slam of Darts**.
Humphries is no stranger to pressure. In 2022, he clinched his first **World Championship** title, defeating **Michael Smith** in a thrilling final, and he successfully defended that title the following year. Now, as the PDC’s defending champion, he finds himself in a position where only a select few have been able to achieve before: the prospect of becoming just the fourth player in PDC history to **win back-to-back world titles**.
However, the road to repeating that feat is never easy, especially when there are so many talented challengers waiting in the wings. The **2024 PDC World Championships** are shaping up to be an intensely competitive event, with players like **Nathan Aspinall**, **Gerwyn Price**, and the up-and-coming **Josh Littler**, who made headlines with his historic run to the final last year, all eager to unseat the current king of darts.
But before the World Championships kicks off, Humphries must first navigate the **Grand Slam of Darts**, a pivotal tournament that often serves as a warm-up for the sport’s biggest event. Though the Grand Slam offers a chance to fine-tune form ahead of **Alexandra Palace**, Humphries insists that even if he suffers an early exit, his confidence and focus for the World Championships will remain unchanged. He’s clear that he’s **”always dangerous”** on the big stage, regardless of how things play out in the **Grand Slam**.
### Humphries’ Group Challenge at the Grand Slam of Darts
The 2024 **Grand Slam of Darts** is a mixed-format event, bringing together the top players from both the PDC and the BDO. Humphries, who enters the tournament as one of the top seeds, has been drawn into a **group with James Wade**, **Mickey Mansell**, and **Rowby-John Rodriguez**. The **group stages** in the Grand Slam are set to be tough, with each match played over **best-of-nine legs**. Should Humphries advance, he’ll face the runner-up from **Danny Noppert’s group**, which includes **Martin Schindler**, **Cameron Menzies**, and **Beau Graves**.
While the shorter format of the group matches could make for some surprise results, Humphries remains resolute. He acknowledges that any of his opponents could present a challenge. “Every group is going to be tough,” Humphries said, recognizing that even lower-ranked players can be dangerous in the shorter format. “It’s a best-of-nine game. A couple of bad legs, and you can quickly find yourself under pressure.”
However, the defending champion knows that he cannot afford to take his opponents lightly. Despite being the higher-ranked player in his group, Humphries insists that he will not **”take anyone for granted”**. He recalls how easily the shorter format can turn matches around, stressing that one or two bad legs could be the difference between progressing or being eliminated.
In many ways, the Grand Slam of Darts is a microcosm of what’s to come at the World Championships: a competition where anything can happen, and where a player’s ability to remain composed in tough situations is crucial. Humphries is no stranger to handling pressure, and he’s aware that he’ll need to bring his **A-game** to get through the group stages.
### A Deep Run in the Grand Slam Could Fuel Humphries’ Confidence
While Humphries is focused on making it through the group stage and beyond at the **Grand Slam**, he also understands that a **deep run** in the tournament would provide invaluable momentum heading into the World Championships. As he approaches a potential second consecutive World title, the chance to build confidence and refine his game against some of the best players in the world is one he doesn’t want to pass up.
“It’s always nice and always helps you if you’re winning big tournaments,” Humphries reflected. “There’s a lot of people who will put your name in the hat and think you’re going to win again.” Having **won multiple titles in 2024**, including the **World Matchplay**, Humphries has been one of the standout players of the season. But with the **World Championships** just around the corner, he remains hungry for more success.
If things don’t go to plan in the Grand Slam, however, the 29-year-old is determined not to let it derail his confidence. “Of course, if it doesn’t go to plan, I’ll always be dangerous in the World Championships,” Humphries declared. His belief in his abilities, combined with his solid track record at the World Championship, suggests that he will be a formidable opponent at **Alexandra Palace** regardless of his performance in the Grand Slam.
The **World Championship format** is notably longer, with matches gradually increasing in length from **best-of-seven legs** in the early rounds to the **best-of-13 legs** for the quarter-finals and semi-finals, and the **best-of-15 legs** for the final. This format plays to Humphries’ strengths, allowing him more time to settle into matches, work through any potential setbacks, and utilize his clinical finishing skills. It’s a test of endurance, and Humphries feels that it plays to his natural strengths.
“The longer format really does benefit me,” Humphries explained. “It’s a great opportunity for me to get some more silverware and give myself even more confidence than I’ve already got.”
### The Threat of a Growing Field of Challengers
Though Humphries is confident, he is fully aware that the **2024 PDC World Championship** is shaping up to be one of the most fiercely contested in recent memory. There are several challengers, each with the potential to topple the reigning champion.
One of the most exciting stories in the build-up to this year’s tournament is **Josh Littler**, who made an impressive run to the World Championship final in 2023, before losing to Humphries in a dramatic conclusion. Littler has earned himself a spot among the tournament’s top seeds, and after such a strong showing last year, he will be one of the players to watch in the hunt for the title.
Other players like **Gerwyn Price**, **Michael Smith**, and **Nathan Aspinall** will be aiming for the top spot, making it clear that Humphries won’t have it all his way. Yet, as the reigning champion, Humphries is comfortable being the man everyone wants to beat.
“I’m not going to get ahead of myself. There’s a lot of tough players out there, but I’m ready for whatever comes my way,” he said.
### Conclusion: Focused on Back-to-Back Glory
As the **2024 World Darts Championship** draws near, **Luke Humphries** is laser-focused on defending his title. Though a **deep run** in the **Grand Slam of Darts** would help build momentum, he insists that even if an early exit occurs, he will remain a dangerous prospect in **Alexandra Palace**. With a mix of **confidence, composure**, and **experience**, Humphries has the tools to claim **back-to-back world titles**—a feat that would further cement his status as one of the most dangerous players in the world.
With his eyes firmly set on **World Championship glory**, Humphries has shown time and again that he is at his best when the stakes are highest. The next month will determine whether the defending champion can continue his reign at the **PDC World Championships** or whether a new challenger will rise to claim the title. Either way, one thing is certain: Humphries will be **ready for the challenge**.