"You can earn a lot of money in darts if you just achieve small things": Luke Humphries sees Luke Littler problem with younger generation

Luke Humphries has attempted to keep his personal life and darts completely separate in an attempt to switch off from his profession when away from the oche. He unveiled that is home is a “darts-free household” to evade the pressure.

The world number two has had a mixed year on the oche, producing some brilliant darts only bettered on a more consistent basis than Luke Littler who has also defeated him in the World Masters and Premier League Darts finals. Their World Cup of Darts win was a highlight for 'Cool Hand Luke' who continues to try and get back to his best form.

His most recent World Matchplay campaign was bitterly disappointing. Consecutive round one exits in Blackpool is a nasty start after losing to an elated Cameron Menzies at the Winter Gardens.

The 2024 champion has since switched off from the sport, not letting it creep back into his home life as he enjoys his time away from the spotlight and pressure that being one of the best darters in the world comes along with.

Speaking to SportBreaks, the former world champion discussed his willingness not to tune in and watch or even read about anything related to darts. “The thing for me is you separate darts from personal life. When I’m at darts I fully focus on that," he said.

“I put my all into it. When I am with my family at home I don’t watch darts, I don’t think about darts. I don’t search things up about darts. It’s a darts-free household for me. I separate both because the pressures of darts are quite tough now. There is a lot riding on your shoulders."

With the media constantly posting fresh stories on him, it can be tricky to block that out. "There is a lot more media out there that if you do anything then it is covered," he continued.

"Anything me and Luke Littler do, if we post up anything on social media it is news. It’s not really news, but it is because of how big darts is. The pressures can be tough but you get used to them over the years.”

As Humphries previously said, when he is on the oche competing, he is fully locked in on the sport. That has included a number of thrilling battles against the world number one Littler. Humphries was able to get the last win over him at the US Darts Masters to regain the title, but the 19-year-old has gone from strength to strength with one of the best darts campaigns ever witnessed at the Winter Gardens.

Humphries has reached eight major finals 2025 onwards, winning three of them. One was alongside Littler at the World Cup with the other two coming in the Winmau World Masters and Premier League Darts in 2024. Since then, every individual final he has got to has ended in defeat against Littler.

If he cannot keep up with 'The Nuke,' then the young talents coming through the ranks have little chance as Humphries dished out some valuable advice.

“If you want advice to be a sporting hero you do look up to, you have to dedicate your life," he advised. "I think a lot of people look at me and Luke in darts. They want to be us and achieve what we have. The hard thing and realisation is it is hard to match people’s careers. You have to create your own path.

“I think that is the problem with the young generation. They all look at what Luke has done and think they have to be on his trajectory, otherwise they have not achieved. You can earn a lot of money in darts if you just achieve small things. You don’t have to be a world champion or a nine-time major champion to earn good money and have a good living. You can win one major in your career and still do good.”