Luke Humphries admitted that he must raise his game if he hopes to defend his World Grand Prix crown, and he confessed that he would have liked to see defending champion Luke Littler stay in the tournament longer. The 2023 champion, who has also been runner‑up in the last two editions of the double‑start event, delivered a rather flat 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. Nevertheless, he expressed relief at escaping the fate of Littler and Michael van Gerwen, both of whom were knocked out in the opening round.

"That was probably one of the worst outings I've ever had on a World Grand Prix stage," Humphries said after the match. "I never felt comfortable throughout the whole contest.

The doubles weren’t clicking from the start, my scoring was terrible and I think Dave wasn’t at his best either." He added, "It wasn’t a good display, but I’m still in the competition and when I face Jermaine Wattimena on Thursday I hope you won’t see a repeat of this." With Littler’s surprise loss to Luke Woodhouse, Humphries now stands as the favourite to lift the trophy, yet he acknowledges that the absence of the world No.1 adds an extra layer of pressure. "I hate it when he loses because it instantly puts the spotlight on me. Everyone starts saying ‘this is yours to win’, and that kind of pressure can be a burden," he explained. "I hate it because I want to meet him in a final, beat him there, not lose to him.

I thrive on the prospect of a final against him – it fires me up. When he’s out, I don’t celebrate; instead I feel the weight of expectation grow. I’d rather he stay in the draw as the favourite so I can try to sneak past him to the final." Humphries’ 2023 victory was his first PDC‑ranked televised title and sparked a dominant run that carried him to the end of the season. Since then, the player nicknamed "Cool Hand" has endured a series 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 – I’ve lost six or seven finals now," Humphries said. "I played a 105 average in the Premier League final and another in the World Masters final, only to lose both. It’s hard to swallow." He continued, "If you play anyone else on the circuit, they’re unlikely to beat you, but when you’re up against a phenom like Luke Littler, he can turn the tables.

I know I deserve a major, but sometimes life doesn’t hand you what you think you’ve earned. The onus is on me to win four more matches and perform far better than I have this week.

If I repeat this level, I’ll be lucky to reach the quarters or semis." During his run to the last 16, Humphries sparked curiosity on social media after appearing on stage with a noticeable scab on his head. He reassured fans that the blemish had no impact on his play.

"I wanted to spin a great story about battling five opponents and coming out on top, but the truth is less dramatic," he said. "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 used on TV shows.

I haven’t seen a doctor yet, but it looks like a simple reaction and I feel fine." Beyond the immediate tournament narrative, Humphries reflected on the broader challenges of competing at the highest level. He noted that the mental strain of constantly being labeled a favourite can be as taxing as any physical ailment.

"When you’re constantly in the conversation, every miss feels magnified. The audience, the media, even your own teammates start to expect you to win every match. That pressure can creep into your throw and affect your rhythm." He also discussed his preparation routine, emphasizing the importance of practice, nutrition, and mental conditioning. "I spend a lot of time on my practice board, working on double finishes because that’s where I slipped this week.

I also do yoga and meditation to keep my mind clear. The scab was a distraction, but I tried not to let it affect my focus." Looking ahead, Humphries is determined to use the experience as motivation. "I’ll take this loss as a lesson.

I know I can raise my average and hit more doubles. The goal is to finish the tournament strong and prove that I can win another major." Fans can follow the remainder of the World Grand Prix live on Sky Sports, with daily coverage leading up to the final on Sunday. Those without a Sky subscription can stream the event on NOW without a contract, ensuring that the drama of the competition remains accessible to a wide audience.