Luke Humphries starts the pre tournament favourite ahead of the 2024
World Matchplay and it's not hard to see why. Already this year, 'Cool Hand Luke' has won the World Darts Championship and the World Cup of Darts and is dreaming of even more success.
Humphries reached the semifinals at last year's World Matchplay, in which he lost out to Jonny Clayton. "I do think last year’s World Matchplay was when the tide turned for me and I started to get that belief," the world number one revealed to the PDC's
official website.
“This is the second biggest tournament in the calendar in my opinion, so it will be an extra special feeling to go back there as World Champion and world number one," Humphries continues. “The Winter Gardens is such an iconic venue, and when you go the World Matchplay, you’re playing in front of real fans; the fans that just love the darts. There’s a really nice atmosphere there. The crowds are really respectful, and that’s part of why I think this tournament is so special.”
Humphries will take on Ricardo Pietreczko in his opening match. “I feel like this year’s field is the strongest World Matchplay line-up I’ve ever seen,” Humphries assesses. “You had the likes of James Wade fighting just to qualify; Dirk van Duijvenbode and Gabriel Clemens missing out. That’s how competitive darts is nowadays. It’s incredible. It gets to the stage now where any unseeded player you play, there are no easy games, so I’m going to have to produce my A-game if I’m going to lift the title, that’s for sure.”
Despite the tough field, Humphries heads to the World Matchplay full of confidence after his recent World Cup of Darts win alongside Michael Smith for England. "That was up there with my best achievements," said the 29-year-old Englishman. "My first major win was obviously the most incredible feeling, and when you win the World Championship, that feeling cannot be topped. The World Cup is up there for me though. It’s not every day you get to play for your country, let alone win for your country, so I was super proud.”
Luke Humphries became world champion for the first time early this year
“I think 2024 has been a success so far," continued 'Cool Hand Luke'. “I feel like I’ve hit some really high levels this year. I’ve not quite been as consistent as I was last year, but I’ve still made two major finals in the UK Open and Premier League, and I’ve had a European Tour win. I also think people have played a lot better against me this year compared to last year. That’s something that comes with the territory – everyone wants to put their name in the headlines, and if you beat me or you beat Luke Littler, you’re in the headlines.”
Humphries is chasing history next week, after all there are only three players (Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Peter Wright) who became world champions and won the World Matchplay in the same year. “It would be absolutely unbelievable. Winning the World Matchplay would be a dream for me,” Humphries concludes. “I want to achieve the Triple Crown in my career, so if I can tick off the World Matchplay this year, that just leaves the Premier League. I’m feeling relaxed. I know if I turn up and play my own game, then I stand a great chance of winning that title.”
