2024 Premier League: Luke Humphries Reacts to Luke Littler's Self-Proclamation as Darts’ Main Target

In the wake of his triumph at Night Seven of the Premier League in Nottingham, Luke Humphries reflected on his victory over Nathan Aspinall and shed light on his distinct approach to the game compared to rising star Luke Littler.

Humphries, known for his humble demeanour on the oche, emphasised the importance of maintaining composure amidst media scrutiny and heightened expectations. 

Regarding his Premier League peer Luke Littler's confidence on stage, Humphries remarked, “It's his first year in it. He's got to learn. He's going to learn a lot. If he wants to be different on the stage and try more exhibitions shots let him, do it. If he tried the same 147 against me as he did against Ricardo in Belgium, I’d be happy as it gives me more of a chance to win.”

Additionally, in response to Littler's approach on the oche, Luke Humphries offered a candid assessment, stating, "Luke [Littler] doesn’t let anyone influence him. There’s no arrogance, that’s just the way he is. He’s still learning his craft, and he might not be handling the pressure as everyone expects but he will certainly go onto win a couple Premier League nights like me, I’m certain of that." 

Humphries' comments underscored Littler's unwavering focus and commitment to his own style of play. While acknowledging Littler's learning curve and potential struggles with pressure, Humphries expressed confidence in the young talent's future success, drawing parallels to his own journey in the Premier League.

Image credit: PDC

When questioned about Littler's comparison of himself to the FA Cup final, Humphries maintained a pragmatic stance, stating, "Maybe some of the lower ranked players may feel like that, but us top boys certainly don’t." He emphasised the significance of his World Championship victory and dismissed the notion of any single match overshadowing that achievement.

“I’ve beat him in the biggest cup final in the world. I play him week in week out now, and it’s never more than just another win to me. No match is bigger than the World final, which I won”, he further added.