Luke Humphries Wants Appreciation, Not Attention, Ahead of Ally Pally Return

Former world champion and current world number two Luke Humphries heads into this year’s PDC World Darts Championship with a fresh outlook and, most importantly, a lighter load on his shoulders.

This time last year, Humphries carried the weight of being the defending world champion. Now that honour belongs to Luke Littler, the teenage sensation who stormed the darts world and dethroned him in the process. 

With no title to defend and no world number one status to protect, Humphries arrives at Ally Pally with less noise and fewer expectations, which may be a blessing.

A New Chapter for Humphries 

SportsBoom attended the PDC’s pre-tournament media day, where Humphries spoke openly about how different things feel this time around.

"This year it’ll be a lot different. It's not the defence of my world championship, so there’s not that extra added pressure on you, which I didn't really feel last year anyway."

He continued, reflecting on what awaits him at the sport’s biggest stage: "But it's going to be exciting because it's a new format, a new sort of situation, new prize money, everything's new.”

While Humphries knows the pressure isn’t gone entirely, he remains one of the favourites, he accepts that the weight of expectation sits more heavily on Littler now than on himself.

“There is a target on my back, but obviously Luke’s [Littler] going to have much more on his back.”

Recognition Still Uncertain 

Humphries’ candidness follows on from his comments after the Grand Slam of Darts final, where Littler not only beat him to the title but also overtook him for the world number one spot. 

Speaking to Sky Sports that night, Humphries admitted he never truly felt like the man at the top.

“He [Littler] deserves to be the world number one, he really does.” 

“I’ve never felt like the world number one. I never really got that attention that I deserved, but you know, I feel like I’ve done myself justice. I’ve really worked hard,” Humphries told Sky Sports. 

A Chance to Rewrite the Story

With the Worlds approaching, we asked whether reclaiming Littler’s crown and world number one ranking would finally give him the recognition he feels has been missing. Humphries’ answer was as honest as it was surprising.

"Probably not, no. I don't think much would change to be fair.”

"I guess it's not down to anybody but the media to change that. I know what I said, but it was the truth.”

"I'm not really that fussed about it too much. I've said it many times I've achieved my dreams and I’m happy with what I've done in the last two years.”

Humphries is the first to acknowledge that Littler’s rise is a fairy tale the sport could never ignore. A 16-year-old within touching distance of the world title is a storyline too remarkable to look past. 

Yet Humphries still hopes that another world title could reset the narrative.

"But I do think maybe if I went and won it this year, then maybe people will take a step back and go, yeah, he's actually done pretty well to be fair,” he said with a smile on his face. 

"I've had to deal with one of the best players that darts has ever seen in my era and I'm winning majors in it. So yeah, it's not been easy."

Appreciation, Not Attention

Attention isn’t what he craves. Appreciation is. And when you sit his achievements against the sport’s greats, it’s impossible to ignore his place among them. 

Only four players have lifted more PDC titles than Humphries: Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, James Wade, and now Littler.

"No, I don't want to be centre of attention because that's not something that any player is going to ask for. I get recognised a lot, but it's not about being recognised, being centre of attention.”

"My goal is about appreciation about what I've achieved and stuff."

"There's been a lot of people ask me this question today, but I think it's irrelevant now. I said what I said at the Grand Slam and that's kind of it,” he concluded.

Less pressure. Fewer expectations. A clearer head. Humphries returns to Ally Pally not as the defending champion, but as a man quietly ready to reclaim everything he once held.