Luke Humphries admitted that he must raise his game if he hopes to defend his World Grand Prix crown and secure a second title, while also revealing that he would have liked to see defending champion Luke Littler stay in the tournament longer. Humphries, who claimed the 2023 championship and was runner‑up in the two previous editions of the double‑start event, delivered a rather uninspired performance in his straight‑sets win over Dave Chisnall at the Mattioli Arena. The world number two managed to hit fewer than 27 percent of his checkout attempts and posted an average of 80.41 – his lowest figure at this event since 2022.

Despite the sub‑par numbers, he was relieved not to join Littler and Michael van Gerwen as first‑round casualties. "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 throughout the whole encounter.

The doubles weren’t clicking from the start, my scoring was terrible and I got the impression that Chizzy [Dave Chisnall] wasn’t playing at 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 won’t see a repeat of this performance!" With defending champion Luke Littler stunned by Luke Woodhouse, Humphries now finds himself the frontrunner for the trophy, yet he confessed that the absence of the world number one adds extra pressure. "I hate it when he loses because it instantly puts the spotlight on me. Everyone starts saying, ‘It’s yours to win now,’ and that kind of pressure can be a double‑edged sword," he explained.

Humphries 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 idea of a final against him fires me up. When he’s knocked out, I don’t jump for joy – it just piles more expectation onto my shoulders and sometimes that doesn’t help.

I’d rather he stay in the draw as the favourite so I can try to sneak through to the final the usual way." His 2023 triumph marked his first PDC‑ranked televised title and sparked a dominant finish to that season. Since then, however, the "Cool Hand" has endured a string of runner‑up finishes in major events after capturing the World Masters and Premier League titles last year. "I feel like I deserve a major win – I’ve been in six or seven finals and lost them all," Humphries said.

"I played a superb Premier League final and a World Masters final, both at 105 averages, and still came up short. It’s tough to swallow.

If you play anyone else in the world, 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 title, 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 perform far better than I have this week. If I repeat this level, I’ll be lucky just to reach the quarters or semis." During the broadcast, viewers noticed a conspicuous scab on Humphries’ scalp, prompting a flurry of social‑media speculation. The player clarified that the mark was harmless and did not affect his play as he advanced to the last‑16.

"I wanted to spin a dramatic tale about battling five opponents and emerging victorious with a scar, but the reality is far less exciting," he laughed. "I filmed Bullseye on Tuesday, woke up Wednesday with a massive rash on the side of my head, and it kept getting worse until it scabbed over. I think it was an allergic reaction to the makeup and creams they use on TV shows.

I haven’t seen a doctor yet, but it looks like a simple allergic response to the products they put on my face and head. I’m completely fine otherwise." Humphries’ candid comments underscore the mental juggling act top darts players face: balancing personal ambition, the weight of public expectation, and the unpredictable nature of competition. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on whether he can turn his self‑critique into a higher level of play and reclaim the title that slipped through his fingers last year. Fans can continue to follow the World Grand Prix live on Sky Sports, with daily coverage leading up to the final on Sunday.

For those without a Sky subscription, the event is also available on NOW with a no‑contract streaming option.