Luke Humphries took the World Matchplay titlr for the first time in his career last Sunday night in Blackpool. For "Cool Hand Luke," it was already the third major title this year, having previously won the World Darts Championship and the World Cup of Darts.
A few days after winning the final against Michael van Gerwen, Humphries looked back on his first Phil Taylor Trophy. "It's an overwhelming feeling when I go into the kitchen and put the kettle on, there's some massive trophies there you know," Humphries laughs on the latest episode of Sky Sports' Love the Darts podcast. "Got the World Championship and the World Matchplay titles sat next to each other, it's a surreal feeling. Growing up I'd watched Phil Taylor lift that trophy so many times, then Michael van Gerwen had his era, so to now have it sat in my kitchen is something special and you have to pinch yourself!"
This time last year, Humphries had no major titles to his name. Incredibly, the world number one now holds the World Grand Prix, the Grand Slam of Darts, the Players Championship Finals and the World Darts Championship, plus of course, the recent World Matchplay and World Cup of Darts. "The last twelve months have just been astronomical in my career," he admits. "A lot of people had tipped me to win a major, but six in the last nine months, it truly is sensational. Sometimes you have to sit back and reflect and just think 'what really have I achieved?'
"In my opinion, it's one of the best years from any dart player ever, so to put my name up there with the likes of Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen is special," continues Humphries, who has been the number one in the Order of Merit since the Alexandra Palace in January. "I'm one of the best dart players in the world right now. I've had one of the most successful years ever, that's statistically a fact. And maybe I've the top level that people aren't matching at the moment but there's still other players that can."
"It's not going to be an era of dominance from myself I've said that many times. All I ask from myself is to make myself as tough to play and beat. Don't roll over and let anybody thrash you," 'Cool Hand' concludes. "People have to work incredibly hard to beat me, and I'm able to win when not at my best as well which is a massive trait for someone to have. Through a tournament you're not always going to be at your best so you need that and I've got it. I still don't think I’ve reached my peak yet, I just need to keep working."
🏆World Matchplay Champion!! It feels amazing to hold the Phil Taylor Trophy aloft! Michael was as tough as I expected him to be. It's been an amazing year for me and this is a special win 💙 @ModusDarts180 @reddragondarts @cygroup2 @TaylorMaxwellCo @VibePay Radamec
