"I feel stronger than ever" - Luke Humphries looking to become fourth player to successfully defend PDC World Darts Championship

Luke Humphries is set to defend his title at the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship. 'Cool Hand Luke' will take on the winner of the duel between Thibault Tricole and Joe Comito in his opening match later this evening.

Humphries defeated Luke Littler 7-4 in a thrilling final last year and is now in the hunt for his second consecutive world title. "Last year I felt more ready than ever to win the World Championship, and the year I've had has only increased that feeling," Humphries told Darts Actueel. "Also, the experience of winning the World Championship last year will help me for the upcoming World Championship. The only difference from last year is that I will probably have a little longer rest between the first and second rounds, should I win my first match."

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"I feel stronger than ever, especially after winning the Players Championship Finals. It feels like everything is falling my way, but it's still the World Championship, where things never go the way you would want them to go," he continues. "Also last year I struggled in a few rounds, so it's important not to get negative then and stay positive. I will take that experience with me to this World Championship".

Luke Humphries in action at the Players Championship Finals last month

Humphries can make history with another deep run at the Alexandra Palace by becoming the first player ever to reach the £2 million mark on the PDC Order of Merit. "I don't really focus on the rankings. But should I be able to take the title again in six weeks, that position will be for mine for almost two years," he says of his world number one status. "That will also give me a little more determination to really get my name among the very best darters ever."

Only Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis and Gary Anderson ever successfully defended their titles at the PDC World Darts Championship. Can Humphries join that illustrious list? "I think, should I win the World Championship, it will be a great moment for me and darts an such, as we haven't seen in a long time, someone win so many titles and especially two world titles in 16 months."

Next year's World Darts Championship will be expanded to 128 players. "It is still unclear what the new format will look like, and how it will affect the draw, but it is good for the development of sport as a whole," said the 29-year-old Englishman. "It would be great if this can ensure that darts becomes the second most popular sport. Especially now that I'm at the top."

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