Luke Humphries has lost love for Pro Tour: "I want to regain it next year"

Sunday, 06 October 2024 at 06:00

Luke Humphries gets little pleasure out of playing Players Championship tournaments these days. That striking admission was made by "Cool Hand Luke" after he captured his first floor title of the season last Thursday.

Having already played two Players Championship tournaments on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Englishman was actually planning to opt out of Thursday's tournament. However, his fiancée persuaded Humphries to play the final day as well. The reigning world champion defeated Stephen Bunting 8-7 to claim the top prize of 15,000 pounds.

This year, Humphries has played 14 of the 26 Players Championship tournaments completed so far this season. "I feel like I have lost the love on the ProTour and I want to regain it next year," stated the world number one.

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“I was looking at just seeing myself through, and we go again next year, and I find the love again. This year I did lose a bit of love for being in this room. It does happen; there is no coincidence. You got Nathan Aspinall, Rob Cross, Gezzy [Price]. It has only been me and Luke [Littler] at one point was only in the top 16 of the ProTour Order of Merit out of the Premier League players.”

Although Humphries has already skipped the necessary Players Championship tournaments, the Englishman has already finished 148 matches this season. Last year, Humphries reached 168 matches in all of 2023, a number that will undoubtedly be surpassed in 2024.

“I think it takes your toll on you. I played more darts than anybody in the last twelve months since the World Grand Prix last year and it does tire you out.

“You can be as young as you want, but I feel like I have put on a little bit of weight since the Premier League and I felt a bit tired the last couple days and managed it well today.

“I’m going to get back on that exercise bike and lose a bit more weight as I feel my energy levels have dropped a little bit and I think that’s what cost me sometimes. I get to these last 16’s and quarter-finals and run out of steam.”

On Monday, Humphries begins his hunt for back-to-back titles at the World Grand Prix. Then he will once again face Stephen Bunting. Last year, Humphries took his first major title at the double-in double-out tournament by defeating Gerwyn Price 5-2 in sets.

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