Luke Humphries pre PDC World Championship Interview: ‘I feel like I am a much better player than I was twelve months ago’

Humphries is making his second appearance at the Alexandra Palace this year and comes off the back of a successful first year on the full tour. We talk mainly about his 2018, the World Championship and his Development Tour double as he prepares to take on Adam Hunt on Sunday. On his 2018, ‘Cool Hand’ said that he has had a good steady first year as a pro and although he hasn’t reached his full potential as of yet he is happy so far. “I think I’ve had a good steady first year as a pro, I don’t think I’ve reached full potential just yet but that won’t happen in the first few years. it will take time and overall I’m happy at my progression so far.” As previously mentioned, the Newbury ace will take on Adam ‘The Hunter’ Hunt in what could be one of the ties of the weekend. He isn’t looking past it though and admitted that any game is tough in the World Championship. “It is what it is, Adam is a fantastic player and will be a very tough game but every player I could of drawn would of been the same. There’s no easy games in a world championship. And for me I just seem to come alive on the big stage and it doesn’t matter who I play.” He faced Jeff Smith on debut twelve months ago losing out in the preliminary and he believes he is a much better player than back then after his first year on the tour. “Absolutely. As a good saying goes ‘you can’t beat experience’ And I totally agree with it. I think that helps me settle in much easier this year and I feel like I am a much better player than I was twelve months ago.” Humphries claimed back to back Order of Merit wins on the Development Tour this season and he spoke of how the standard just gets better and better. This in turn is helping him improve and he will be going for a hat trick in what will be his final year on the secondary tour. “The standard just keeps getting better and better. And it’s only helping my experience and development on the tour. Winning it twice which no one has ever done is great for me. Because trust me winning that once is a massive achievement so twice is fantastic. And I will definitely be trying to win a hat-trick of titles in my last year. Finally he spoke about his goals for 2019 and him wanting to keep his tour card first and foremost. Apart from that he wants to qualify for tournament she hasn’t yet but most importantly keep enjoying darts. “Mainly to keep my tour card and stay in the top 64 in the world. it’s a very tough job to stay in the group of 64 but I feel I’m capable of it and maybe qualifying for a major competition that I haven’t qualified for yet would be another goal I look to set. But most importantly just keep enjoying the sport that I love to play and am very privileged to do this full time.” Interview conducted by Samuel Gill, writer for Dartsnews.com