Luke Humphries has laid down the challenge to rival Luke Littler after winning the World Matchplay final. In a dramatic affair, Humphries took out a double-double 20 finish to prevail 18-15, after Michael van Gerwen blew three chances to take out double eight.
It meant a fifth major title win of the season for the world No.1, as well as the £200,000 winning prize.
And speaking to Sky Sports Darts after winning the matchplay crown for the first time, Humphries vowed to get better in order to stop Littler taking his trophy off him in 2025.
“There’s three of us, we’ve all got a rivalry, we all want to beat each other.” he admitted. “Luke’s a fantastic player, I can guarantee he’ll pick up this trophy one day, I’m just glad I did it first.
“Michael’s already done it. Luke will pick it up one day, and I’m sure he’s watching at home proud of his mate. I’m sure he’ll want to take it off me next year too, so I’ll have to get better and make sure he doesn’t.”
Humphries became the first player to win the World Matchplay while topping the world rankings since ‘MVG’ himself in 2016, and admitted he was struggling to comprehend his latest triumph. He is now the reigning champion of the World Championship, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam and the Players Championship Finals.
“I felt a lot more emotional than when I won the Worlds,” he claimed. “I got a bit lucky in the end, Michael missed those chances, but I’m gonna watch that back about 100 times tonight. That was the most incredible thing.
“I am really blessed just to be up on this stage in such a great sport. To hold these trophies with so many great players, especially Phil Taylor, 16-time champion, to put my name on it – I’m absolutely over the moon. To do it the same year I win the World Championships, it means the world to me.”
‘Cool hand Luke’ was in control for much of the contest, but appeared to be rocking as Van Gerwen came back from a three leg deficit to trail 16-15. He then fashioned a golden chance to level, but contrived to miss three darts at double 10 and allow Humphries to move to the brink.
For his part, the Dutchman appeared despondent afterwards, saying: “I didn’t start off the game really well, but I still had my chances. You have to look yourself in the mirror and I know I made mistakes, but I also think I was the better player.
“But when you don’t do yourself justice, then it’s a painful game. And of course, Luke is a fantastic player and we all know what he’s capable of. But I think there was more in this game for me.”
