LUKE HUMPHRIES believes that his relationship with ‘little brother’ Luke Littler has the potential to dominate the darts scene for the coming decade.
Humphries, aged 29, is on a quest to become the FOURTH player to defend the Sid Waddell Trophy successfully, following in the footsteps of legends like Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis, and Gary Anderson.
3
3
If he secures £500,000 on January 3, his total earnings would surpass £2 million within just one year — a remarkable feat.
Sport thrives on rivalries, and Cool Hand views his rise alongside 17-year-old talent Littler as a way to enhance competition and usher in a “new age.”
The world No 1, who has claimed seven major TV titles, stated: “I won my first major just a few months before Luke entered the scene, yet I feel we’ve both progressed together.
“It’s not about one of us outshining the other; we are both advancing together.
“Historically, Phil Taylor dominated until Michael van Gerwen emerged to challenge him. Phil might not have embraced that change, whereas Michael welcomed it.
“There were also moments like this with Eric Bristow and Taylor during Phil’s rise.
“What sets us apart is that we are both enjoying success simultaneously.
“While I have celebrated more victories in the past 15 months, my hope is that over the next ten years we can share the accolades and craft our own legacies.”
This year’s exciting encounters between the ‘Lukes of Hazard’ saw Humphries come out on top at the Worlds, Littler excel in the Premier League, and Cool Hand clinching the title at the Players Championship.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
World Darts Championship – top stories
READ MORE on all the build-up to the Ally Pally extravaganza…
All the info:
News, features, and interviews:
The duo avoids trash talking, frequently sharing fist bumps on stage and embracing — their rivalry is both supportive and constructive.
Humphries mentioned: “I see myself as an older brother figure to him. I met him when he was around 12 or 13.
Darts legend Phil Taylor recommends that Luke Littler should skip the BBC SPOTY event for ‘£2 million on the table’
“I was familiar with his background; I knew his father too. I can only imagine the feelings I’d have at 17 in his position.
“We’ve both made progress in this elite sport. We maintain a strong relationship; he is carving his own path, but we always take time to connect.
“Being at the pinnacle of this sport is exhilarating — it’s truly a privilege.
“We both see it as a bonus that we are currently the top two players in the world.”
Humphries will begin his title defense tonight against either France’s Thibault Tricole or Australian Joe Comito, with a possibility of facing Littler in the semifinals if both players advance.
The Berkshire native continued: “We come from different regions — I’m from the south, and he’s from the north — but we now live near each other.
“If someone had told me a couple of years ago that this would happen, I would have found it hard to believe. He’d probably think the same.
“Things can change rapidly; one of us might rise while the other gets left behind.
“Currently, we are intensely competing for titles, and I don’t expect that to alter.
“He is quite a bit younger, and if he elevates his game, I’ll have to step up my performance to keep pace.”
3
