Wayne Mardle, the longtime Sky Sports Darts analyst, recently shared his thoughts on Luke Humphries' impressive achievement of becoming a two‑time World Grand Prix champion. Humphries staged a dramatic comeback in the final, overturning a 3‑0 deficit against Gerwyn Price to clinch a 6‑4 victory in the double‑start format.
Mardle reflected that, a few years ago, he might not have believed Humphries could endure such a pressure‑filled encounter and emerge victorious. He described the win as a testament to pure belief, courage and determination – qualities that allow Humphries to succeed against any opponent, regardless of the scoreline.
Mardle emphasized that experience plays a crucial role. "When you have already tasted victory on numerous occasions, as Luke has, you develop a mental framework that says, ‘I’m under pressure, but I’ll stay calm and let my game speak for itself.’" This mindset, he argued, is far more constructive than the panic‑inducing thoughts of being embarrassed or losing badly. By simplifying his approach and focusing on his own rhythm, Humphries was able to execute his strategy without over‑thinking.
During the match, the turning point arrived when Humphries secured the fourth set. At that moment he visibly relaxed, while Price appeared to tighten up under the weight of expectation.
The former champion found himself in a precarious position several times, yet each time he dug deep and clawed his way back. The final two sets showcased Humphries at his very best; he endured more than an hour of relentless darts, never yielding to the barrage of pressure that Price – affectionately known as "Gezzy" – unleashed.
Mardle noted that this resilience will serve Humphries well heading into the World Championship. "He can now walk into that tournament thinking, ‘Who can stop me?’" The confidence gained from winning in a set‑play environment, he added, tends to linger and boost a player’s belief in future contests. Should Humphries and Price ever meet again in a World final, the encounter would likely become a classic battle of one‑upmanship, with each player trying to out‑do the other. Speaking about Price, Mardle observed that the Welshman often speaks impulsively in the heat of competition, yet his desire to win is unmistakable.
"You can’t maintain the level of focus Price displayed in that final unless you truly care about the outcome," Mardle said. He acknowledged the disappointment that comes with squandering a 3‑0 lead, but reminded listeners that Price has suffered enough defeats to understand that nothing is guaranteed in darts.
Price, still relatively young, will have many more chances to claim major titles. He knows his own talent and, according to Mardle, will continue to work on converting that potential into trophies. Returning to Humphries, Mardle highlighted the statistical brilliance of his performance in the closing stages.
Averaging 106 in one set and 107 in the next, Humphries delivered a level of play that was, in Mardle’s words, "unplayable" for his opponent. Such high averages underline the precision and consistency required to dominate at the elite level. Mardle also offered a word of encouragement to Price, suggesting that he should not be too hard on himself after the loss.
The competitive nature of darts means that even the best can have off days, and resilience is key to bouncing back. Looking ahead, the European Tour schedule remains packed. The Swiss Darts Trophy is set for October 9‑11, followed by the Dutch Darts Championship on October 16‑18. These events lead into the European Championship in Dortmund, Germany, from October 22‑25.
Sky Sports will continue to be the primary broadcaster for darts, covering the Grand Slam of Darts (November 14‑22) and the World Darts Championship (December 10‑January 3). Fans can also stream all action live via the NOW platform without a contract, ensuring easy access to every throw and triumph throughout the season.