“It doesn’t matter what line of work you are in, you can get tired” – Luke Humphries admits disappointment after online backlash to comments of fatigue

World number one Luke Humphries caused a stir recently when he admitted during the International Darts Open that he felt “emotionless” on stage and in need of a break. While the majority of fans sympathised with ‘Cool Hand Luke’s’ honesty, his comments drew some criticism online.

“When I’m up on stage I am just feeling emotionless. It’s weird and it’s me being honest to all the fans," said Humphries during the European Tour event earlier this month. “I feel like my emotions are just all over the place. It’s not that I don’t want to be here — it just seems a chore for me at the moment. It’s just too much darts. I’m playing too much. I think I need a break."

The day after that candid interview, Humphries felt compelled to clarify his comments following online backlash. "Considering the comments, people not understanding what I meant… Will be the last time I ever confess my real feelings to the public. Everything I say or ever do just never seems to be good enough for anybody, as long as no one complains when we all give the same answers in interviews like robots and not our true feelings. Then everyone I guess we’ll be happy, or usually will still find a way to moan at us," wrote Humphries in a post on his official X account.

In the weeks since, the situation has calmed, with Humphries stepping back from selected European Tour and Players Championship events to better manage his schedule. Now, the former world champion has addressed the controversy again in an interview with Sky Sports’ Polly James and Stuart Pyke.

“It doesn’t matter what line of work you are in, you can get tired. We are all the same. We all work hard, feel down and a bit tired," explains Humphries. “I went through a little wobble. That’s what we do in life. Sometimes it’s nice if some people are nice to you in that moment. It’s hard to go through."

Thankfully for both Humphries and his fans, his mindset appears to be in a much better place. “Mentally I felt OK. I just felt a bit tired. I’m happy to be here and go again," he says, while also expressing disappointment at the way his earlier comments were received.

“Sometimes you say things that don’t do you any favours. That’s why it’s best off not to say anything at all. I do understand that you do have to give a bit to the fans. Let them know how you are feeling. That’s why I did what I did. But it felt like it backfired. It was a shame," Humphries concluded. "I felt it was a good thing for me to be honest.”