Luke Humphries acknowledges that he must raise his game if he hopes to secure a second World Grand Prix crown, and he openly admits that he would have preferred defending champion Luke Littler to stay in the tournament longer. Humphries, who captured the 2023 title and finished runner‑up in the previous two editions of the double‑start event, delivered a rather underwhelming performance in his straight‑sets win over Dave Chisnall at the Mattioli Arena. The world No. 2 managed to hit fewer than 27 percent of his checkout attempts and posted an average of 80.41 – his lowest figure at this Grand Prix since the 2022 edition.
Despite the sub‑par numbers, he was relieved not to join the ranks of Littler and Michael van Gerwen, who both fell in the opening round. "That was probably one of the worst outings I've ever had on the World Grand Prix stage," Humphries said after the match. "I never felt comfortable during the whole contest. The doubles weren’t clicking at the start, my scoring was terrible, and I could tell Dave wasn’t playing his best either." He added, "It wasn’t a good showing, but I’m through to the next round and when I face Jermaine Wattimena on Thursday I hope you’ll see a completely different performance from me." With defending champion Luke Littler stunned by Luke Woodhouse, Humphries now finds himself the clear favourite to lift the trophy.
However, he confesses that the removal of the world No. 1 from the field adds extra pressure. "I hate it when he loses because it instantly puts the spotlight on me," Humphries explained.
"Everyone starts saying, ‘this is yours to win,’ and that kind of expectation can be a heavy weight." He continued, "I’d love to meet him in a final and beat him there – I don’t want to lose to him in a final, but the prospect of a final against him gets me excited. When he’s out, I don’t jump for joy; instead, I feel the pressure mounting, and sometimes that doesn’t help my game. I’d rather he stay in the tournament as the favourite, so I could try to sneak past him into the final." Humphries’ 2023 triumph was his first PDC‑ranked television title and sparked a dominant finish to that season.
Since then, the player known as “Cool Hand” has endured a string of near‑misses, finishing runner‑up in several major events after his World Masters and Premier League victories last year. "I feel like I deserve a major title – I’ve lost in six or seven finals now," he said. "I played a superb Premier League final and a World Masters final, both with averages over 105, and still came up short. It’s tough to swallow.
When you face anyone else on the circuit, you’re likely to win, but when you’re up against a phenom like Luke Littler, he can turn the tables. I know I deserve a major, but life doesn’t always hand you what you think you’re owed." He stressed the need for consistency: "I have to win four more matches and raise my level dramatically. If I repeat the same performance, I’ll be lucky to reach the quarters or semis." During his progression to the last‑16, Humphries sparked curiosity on social media when he appeared on stage with a noticeable scab on his scalp.
He clarified that the blemish was harmless and offered an explanation. "I wanted to share an epic tale about battling five opponents and emerging unscathed, but unfortunately there isn’t a dramatic story here," he laughed. "I filmed Bullseye on Tuesday, woke up Wednesday with a massive rash on the side of my head, and it kept worsening until it scabbed over. I suspect it was an allergic reaction to the makeup and creams used on TV sets.
I haven’t seen a doctor yet, but it looks like a simple skin reaction and I feel fine." Humphries also reflected on his mental approach, noting that the pressure of being the new favourite can be a double‑edged sword. While he relishes the chance to prove himself against the sport’s elite, he also wants to avoid the anxiety that comes with heightened expectations.
"When the top seed is out, the narrative shifts instantly to ‘this is his moment,’ and that can be overwhelming. I prefer a scenario where I have to fight my way past the best, because that feels more earned." Looking ahead, Humphries is set to face Jermaine Wattimena on Thursday, a match he hopes will showcase a markedly improved display. He aims to tighten his checkout percentage, boost his scoring averages, and demonstrate the composure that earned him the 2023 title. Fans can follow the remainder of the World Grand Prix live on Sky Sports, with daily coverage culminating in the final on Sunday.
Those without a Sky subscription can stream the event via NOW, which offers a contract‑free option.