Luke Humphries has sensationally claimed he doesn’t feel at his “brilliant best” and discussed his potential “downfall” ahead of the World Matchplay in Blackpool that begins this weekend.
The 30-year-old is, understandably, among the favourites to defend his World Matchplay title at the Winter Gardens this month and claim the prestigious trophy, along with a cool £200,000 in prize money.
The star-studded cast includes the top 16 ranked players in a 32-player tournament lasting over the course of nine days.
Michael van Gerwen is looking to claim his fourth title, while Gary Anderson, Peter Wright, Rob Cross and Nathan Aspinall are all, like Humphries, looking to win their second Matchplay trophy.
Getty | Luke Humphries is the current defending champion of the World MatchplayDespite this, as is the case with many of the sport’s records, no player comes close to Phil Taylor’s astonishing 16 Matchplay triumphs.
With the standard of darts rapidly improving, the question of whether The Power would have been as dominant in this era lingers.
Speaking to Betfred, Cool Hand explained his belief that Taylor would still dominate the sport, even in the modern era.
JUST IN: Manchester United make fresh £70million bid for Premier League star
Getty
|The World No1 has been in phenomenal form this year
“I think there’s about 30 people nowadays where it’s a tough draw and they’re tough to play against,” the former world champion said. “No disrespect to Phil Taylor and others, but there weren't many challengers for Phil.
“However, I do believe if you stuck Phil in this era, then he would still dominate, but I don’t think he would win everything if he had to play me, Luke [Littler] or Michael [van Gerwen].”
Luke Littler is looking to complete the coveted ‘Triple Crown’, consisting of the Premier League, World Championships and World Matchplay, and enters the tournament as the favourite.
If he were to be successful, he would join the elite group of Humphries, Anderson, Taylor and Van Gerwen to win all three tournaments, and by far the youngest to do so.
READ MORE: Max Verstappen set for new team-mate as Red Bull are ready 'to rip up contract' of F1 star
His meteoric rise and persistence to stay at the top of the sport drew comparisons to the great Taylor from Humphries.
He continued: “He [Littler] brings out the best version of me and he’s a Phil Taylor type of character because he has that aura and you always know when you’re playing somebody big in the world of darts because it just feels different.
“Every other game you’re playing, it just feels like a normal game but when you’re playing against Luke, it just feels different. It’s like playing in a final and you know you have to raise your own levels.”
Looking to the upcoming tournament, Humphries made a candid admission on his current practising schedule, and why this could lead to his “downfall”.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
- Olympic medalist killed aged 49 after horror lightning strike
- Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn rematch on the brink of collapse as new details emerge
- Toto Wolff reveals 'very strong' relationship with Lewis Hamilton despite Mercedes split
Getty
|Luke Humphries beat Luke Littler in the Premier League final to complete his 'Triple Crown'
“One thing I’ve neglected a bit too much is that I’d have two or three days off,” the world No1 said.
“It’s not being lazy, but sometimes I think it’s just that you’re playing so much and you just don’t want to throw anymore darts because you’ve already played for four days that week, so you want those three days off.
“In my schedule, I used to practice every day, with maybe one day off when you’re travelling, but this year I’ve neglected it a little bit and it could be the downfall to why I’ve not been my brilliant best this year.
“I can’t sit back and say I’m not getting any better, but I’m not practising, because that’s my own fault and I need to work harder, practice harder, because these are the tournaments I relish.
“The long formats and the longer days suit me because once I get into that rhythm after one or two legs, because sometimes I’m a slow starter, then I’m tough to pull back.”
Despite his recent comments, Humphries enters the tournament in phenomenal form, having recently picked up the Premier League and the US Masters.
One blemish on his recent record, however, was England’s disastrous World Cup campaign, something both he and Littler will be keen to avenge in Blackpool.
The World Matchplay kicks off on Friday evening, with the final due to take place on July 27.