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 finished runner‑up in the last two editions of the double‑start event – delivered a rather uninspired display in his straight‑sets win over Dave Chisnall at the Mattioli Arena. The world number two managed to hit less than 27 per cent of his checkout attempts and posted an average of 80.41, his lowest figure at this venue since the 2022 edition. Nevertheless, he felt a measure of relief at escaping the fate that befell both Littler and Michael van Gerwen, who were both eliminated in the opening round.
"That was probably one of the worst performances I've ever given 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 rubbish and I got the impression that Chizzy [Dave Chisnall] wasn’t at his best either." He added, "It wasn’t a good showing, but I’m through and when I face Jermaine [Wattimena] on Thursday I hope you won’t see anything like that again." With Littler’s surprising defeat to Luke Woodhouse, Humphries now finds himself the favourite to lift the trophy. However, he also noted that the absence of the world number one adds a different kind of 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," Humphries explained.
"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 fires me up. When he’s out, I’m not celebrating; instead I feel the weight of expectation on my shoulders, and that sometimes hinders my game." He continued, "I’d rather he stay in the draw as the favourite, so I can try to sneak through to the final on the back door." Humphries’ triumph in 2023 was his first PDC‑ranked television title and it sparked a dominant run that carried him to the end of the 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 the previous year.
"I feel like I deserve a major title – I’ve lost six or seven finals now," he said. "I played a superb Premier League final and a World Masters final, both at an average of 105, and still came up short. It’s tough to swallow. When you play anyone else in the world, you’re usually the favourite, 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." He added, "The onus is on me to win four more matches and perform far better than I have been. If I repeat the level I showed today, I’ll be lucky to reach the quarter‑finals or semi‑finals." During his progress to the last 16, Humphries sparked curiosity on social media after appearing on stage with a noticeable scab on his scalp. He clarified that the blemish had not affected his play. "I wanted to spin a dramatic story about fighting off five opponents and coming out on top, but I don’t have one," Humphries 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. The only explanation I can think of is that the makeup and creams used for TV shows caused an allergic reaction. I haven’t seen a doctor yet, but it looks like a simple allergy to the products they put on my face and head – I’m otherwise fine." The World Grand Prix continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports throughout the week, with daily coverage leading up to the final on Sunday. Viewers can also follow the action via NOW with a no‑contract streaming option.
As the tournament moves forward, all eyes remain on Humphries to see whether he can convert his ambition into another title or if the pressure of being the new favourite will prove too much. The narrative of a champion seeking redemption, the disappointment of Littler’s early exit, and the unexpected health scare all add layers of intrigue to a competition that never fails to deliver drama on the oche.