Luke Humphries shares plans as World Championship star given 12 days off after win | Other | Sport
Luke Humphries has shared his Christmas plans as he enjoys a 12-day break before his third-round match at the World Darts Championship. The reigning world champion will be putting plenty of practice into maintaining the momentum generated from a dominant opening victory against Thibault Tricole last night.
Humphries lit up the Alexandra Palace stage as the curtain raised on the season’s showcase event, winning all nine legs in his 3-0 triumph over the Frenchman.
Tricole had beaten Australian qualifier Joe Comito 3-1 earlier in the evening but was on the wrong end of a humbling by the world No. 1.
Humphries wasn’t at his ruthless best but coasted into the next round with a 90.79 average, potentially setting up a clash with Raymond van Barneveld.
The 29-year-old will learn whether he will next face the Dutch icon, Nick Kenny, or Stowe Buntz on Saturday but won’t take to the Ally Pally oche again until December 28.
Humphries plans to balance family time with practice on the board to ensure he’s in prime condition in 12 days’ time.
“I prefer this situation. I have 12 days off now, then come back on the 28th,” Cool Hand explained after his dominant win over Tricole.
“It’ll be a lot of Christmas shopping and a lot of practice to keep myself and my game in good shape.”
He added: “Phil [Taylor] used to say you can enjoy Christmas after you’re world champion.
“So, I’ll be making sure I put even more effort in to make sure I give myself the best chance of trying to be the two-time world champion.”
Humphries also expressed his strong desire to become a multi-time world champion, recognising that joining that elite club is an honour greater than his current status.
“I want at least double figures, and I want one more world title,” a laser-focused Humphries explained.
“The main goal is to win more than one world title. There’ll be a lot of one-time world champions over the years, but it’s rare to be a double champion.
“I’m sat on six major tournament wins now; I’m not far away from James Wade on 10, who is the third most successful darts player ever. Fifteen months ago, I’d not won one.
“It’s too far for any player in the world now [Phil Taylor’s record of 16 world titles].”
Humphries has made a habit out of winning major titles this year, but he’s not the favourite to defend his World Darts Championship crown. That would be last year’s fellow finalist, Luke Littler.
