"He was clinical, and fully deserved the win" - Luke Humphries pays classy tribute to Peter Wright and pledges to come back stronger in 2025

The PDC World Darts Championship reign of Luke Humphries is over. After an incredible 12 months as the champion of the world, 'Cool Hand Luke's quest to make it back-to-back world titles was ended in the last 16 on Sunday night, at the hands of a resurgent Peter Wright, 4-1.

Wright, who came into the tournament with people questioning his career after a poor year, has proven the doubters wrong as he so often does, with a truly sensational display. The Scottish two-time world champion hit a 101 average and was particularly impressive on the outer ring, checking out at 70% on the doubles, truly back to his vintage best. Luke Littler was the potential semi-final for Humphries but now Wright has put the cat certainly among the pigeons.

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Despite some feisty comments exchanged between the pair pre-match, Humphries was all class afterwards, comforting an emotional Wright in a warm embrace post-match. Taking to his official X (Twitter) afterwards, Humphries further showed his class by sending warm congratulations and praise to his rival.

"Just wasn't to be tonight. Credit to Peter Wright he was clinical, and fully deserved the win," the world number one's social media post begins, before Humphries turns his attention to the future, pledging to come back even stronger in the coming year. "I've had the most amazing year as World Champion, I'll be back stronger in 2025. Now for family time." 

In conversation with the PDC too, Humphries showered praise onto Wright. "I probably put too much pressure on myself tonight, but I thought I played okay. I kept hitting the treble first dart but I couldn't follow it. Peter played fantastically and backed up what he said pre-match, so fair play to him," Humphries said. "I wasn't at my best but I wasn't terrible by any means, and I'll bounce back. I will still sleep well tonight and look forward to next year."

Although the tournament may be over for Humphries now, Wright moves into the quarter-final, keeping alive his hopes of what would be a third PDC World Darts Championship title. Later this Monday evening, Stephen Bunting and Luke Woodhouse take to the Ally Pally stage to find out who will be the Scot's opponent in the last eight.

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