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Michael van Gerwen has offered a candid take on Luke Littler’s meteoric rise in the world of professional darts, highlighting an overlooked consequence of the teenager’s rapid ascent to stardom.
While Littler has captivated fans and media alike with his stunning performances and precocious talent, Van Gerwen believes that one player, in particular, has suffered from the overwhelming attention directed at the 17-year-old—none other than world No.1 Luke Humphries.
In what has already become one of the defining rivalries in modern darts, Littler and Humphries have consistently battled for supremacy in 2024. Their encounters have shaped the narrative of the season, beginning with their dramatic World Championship final showdown, where Humphries emerged victorious over a then-16-year-old Littler. However, Littler soon exacted revenge in the Premier League final, defeating Humphries to claim his first major title on the PDC circuit.
Despite Humphries’ undeniable success and his status as the world’s top-ranked player, it has been Littler who has dominated the headlines, drawing unparalleled media attention and fanfare. The sheer uniqueness of his story—an unflappable teenager dismantling some of the sport’s biggest names—has made him a household name. Yet Van Gerwen argues that this level of focus on Littler has unfairly overshadowed Humphries’ achievements.
Speaking exclusively to Express Sport ahead of the World Grand Prix, the three-time world champion expressed sympathy for Humphries, who he believes has been the biggest victim of the media frenzy surrounding Littler.
“I think the one person who gets penalized the most [from intense media scrutiny] is Luke [Humphries],” Van Gerwen stated. “You [the media] only talk about Luke Littler, but it’s Luke Humphries who is calling the shots at the moment.”
Van Gerwen’s words carry significant weight, given his own experiences at the top of the sport. The Dutchman, once seen as the dominant force in darts, has felt firsthand the sting of Humphries’ rise. The 29-year-old has enjoyed a sensational year, with his victory over Van Gerwen in the World Matchplay final serving as one of the many highlights of his season. That triumph was emphatic, leaving no doubt that Humphries is currently one of the most formidable players in the game.
Even with Humphries’ undeniable quality, Van Gerwen still expects Littler to remain a major contender in the sport’s biggest tournaments. However, the Dutchman also offered a word of caution, suggesting that Littler’s journey will not be without its setbacks.
“He’s young, he’s going to have his downs,” Van Gerwen said. “That will happen in darts, that will happen to anyone, no matter how good you are.”
To illustrate his point, Van Gerwen referenced the legendary Phil Taylor, a player widely regarded as the greatest to ever throw a dart. Despite being nearly unbeatable in his prime, Taylor too experienced a decline.
“Phil Taylor was unstoppable—until he wasn’t. He went 18 months without winning a major tournament,” Van Gerwen recalled. “That’s just the way darts goes. You’re going to have good periods, bad periods, and you have to deal with the circumstances. The question is, how will Littler deal with it?”
Littler’s ability to maintain his form will be tested in the coming months, as he continues to compete against the best in the world. With tournaments such as the World Grand Prix on the horizon, the teenager will need to demonstrate resilience and consistency to cement his place among the sport’s elite.
Meanwhile, Van Gerwen remains determined to reclaim his position at the pinnacle of darts. Despite a relative dip in form by his own high standards, the 35-year-old is far from finished. He has no plans to retire anytime soon and remains confident that he can still compete at the highest level for years to come.
When asked where he sees himself in five years, Van Gerwen responded with typical confidence:
“I’ll definitely be there. I’m not going to stop in five years,” he asserted. “They’ll need to do really well to keep me off my position. If they want to win as many tournaments as I have in five years, I can’t see that happening. But you never know.”
The Dutchman also reflected on how quickly the landscape of darts can change, pointing to his own rise as an example.
“Nobody knew there was a kid from Holland coming onto the scene who would make Phil Taylor retire,” Van Gerwen said. “That’s how quickly it can go.”
His comments serve as a reminder that darts, like any sport, is constantly evolving. The emergence of new stars like Littler and the continued excellence of players like Humphries have reshaped the hierarchy of the game. However, Van Gerwen is not ready to fade into the background just yet.
As the World Grand Prix kicks off at Leicester’s Mattioli Arena, all eyes will once again be on Littler and Humphries. The teenage sensation will look to continue his remarkable run, while Humphries will aim to reinforce his status as the dominant force in darts. Meanwhile, Van Gerwen will be eager to remind everyone that he remains a formidable presence, still capable of adding to his already illustrious legacy.
With the sport currently enjoying one of its most exciting eras, the rivalry between Littler and Humphries—and the battle for supremacy among the game’s best—promises to deliver even more drama in the months to come.
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