"Maybe he doesn't get the respect he deserves": Luke Humphries full of praise for Gary Anderson after disrespect comments

Luke Humphries continued his bid for back-to-back World Grand Prix crowns with a superb 3-1 win over Ricardo Pietreczko on Wednesday and the World No.1 and World Champion was pleased with his efforts.

He also weighed in on the demise of Michael van Gerwen and Luke Littler as well as Gary Anderson's comments about the disrespect he perceives that Humphries receives.

"I think Ricardo played a fantastic game there. It was a good battle, I really enjoyed it. I think the key moment was the 180 and the 130. That changed the game massively. I loved playing Ricardo and he loves playing me, we always have epic games and I really enjoy playing him," said Humphries.

He was noted to have gone home during his son's birthday instead of staying in Leicester to prepare something that he has no regrets over.

"It is breaking routine. But being with my son is more important than if I don't win tonight. It's more important for me, I love my family. I love them more than darts to be honest and I took the risk but I didn't think it was going to affect me too much."

Before he lauded Anderson and also spoke about how he doesn't think about players going out including in his own section due to what everyone can produce on their day.

"You can't think oh I'm glad he's out. On paper you probably would've played Pietreczko than Barney but I think Pietreczko would've played better than Barney did. I don't really look into who you're going to play in the future."

"I think it's fair to see me, Michael and Luke are the best three players consistently at the moment. It doesn't mean we are the best three. There's many players behind that you know Rob Cross, Michael Smith. Let's not forget Gary Anderson who had some lovely words to say about me yesterday."

"I really appreciate whatever he said. When a legend of the game and you know someone who you've looked up to for so many years says nice things about you it makes you feel good inside. I respect him a lot because he's a legend of the game and maybe he doesn't get the respect he deserves because he's such a great player and achieves so much. In my eyes I think he's the best player in the world. If you're going on stats and potential, he's the best player."