"The best player in the world is out. Anyone now will be thinking: what's standing in my way to win this?" - Wayne Mardle reacts to Humphries' Grand Slam exit

Luke Humphries started the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts full of expectations. The 29-year-old Englishman won the tournament last year, but in defence of his title, has fell at the first hurdle. Despite Humphries' dominance over theblast 12 months, as Wayne Mardle notes, no one is unbeatable.

Humphries did win his final group match against Mickey Mansell, but after defeats in his first two group matches against Rowby-John Rodriguez and James Wade, the damage was done. The world champion ended up stranded in last place in his group with only two points. "These big hitters like Phil Taylor back in his day, Michael van Gerwen in his pomp, you have to get these guys early," said Mardle on Sky Sports. "Once they start feeling it in the longer format, it's a lot harder. Humphries is gone but he's still the world No 1 and world champion!"

"But, the best player in the world is out. Ritchie Edhouse won the Europeans, Mike De Decker won the World Grand Prix, I think anyone now will be thinking, 'what's standing in my way to win this?'" Mardle continues. "We are at the point in darts now where no one is untouchable. When the top guys play well, they win. But when they play poorly, they are beatable against absolutely anyone."

One who did manage to qualify for the knockout stage from that group was James Wade, who finished ahead of Mansell at the top of the group, despite an opening match loss to the Northern Irishman. "James did a great job in the end. Luke, it's kind of his worst darting nightmare. You lose in the group phase and haven't got a chance to make a real run at it," Hawaii 501 concludes.