‘I’m Littler’s new rival however I’ll take care of him – folks will need to use him’
Luke Humphries has revealed darts’ established core of stars will turn out to be Luke Littler’s minders to cease chancers exploiting his fame.
The new PDC world champion insists he has no downside with Luke the Nuke having fun with the cult of movie star after the 17-year-old’s gorgeous affect on the ache. Littler was denied back-to-back World Series titles after a pulsating 8-6 defeat by Michael van Gerwen within the Dutch Darts Masters closing on Saturday evening.
But his inventory solely rose with the astonishing high quality of his efficiency. And Humphries says the follow room fraternity will rally spherical Littler to maintain unscrupulous opportunists at bay.
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Cool Hand Luke was knocked out by Littler in Den Bosch, and the pair meet once more on the opening evening of the BetMGM Premier League in Cardiff on Thursday evening.
He mentioned: “Playing towards Luke shouldn’t be one thing I’m petrified of, or that I’ll should keep away from, as a result of I’ll should play him many, many occasions over the subsequent 20 years. I’m certain he received’t be nervous about dealing with me and all the opposite massive gamers with the Premier League arising.
“Of course I received the one which means probably the most to me by profitable the World Championship, however that’s up to now now and we have now to look to the long run. I don’t really feel like he’s taken any of the gloss away from my world title – he deserves all of the plaudits he will get as a result of he’s achieved one thing I don’t suppose we’ll ever see once more.
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(Image: PA)
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“My dream wasn’t for everybody to go crazy about me – it was to be world champion, and I’ve fulfilled that dream. A lot of people think I bothers me (that Littler gets all the attention) but it doesn’t. I’ve achieved the dream, and whatever comes with that, it doesn’t matter.
“Nothing will ever take that world title away from me, but Luke’s the star of the show at the moment and that’s just the way it is. It’s important that all of the players look after him and no-one takes advantage of him or use him too much, because that will happen in life.
“People will want to use him because of his popularity and stature. But all the players will look after him and make sure none of that happens. He’s a great kid and he’s got a bright future – and so have I.”
(Image: PA)
Premier League Darts Preview 2024
Kebab-loving Luke Littler took the World Championships by storm. Now the teenager sensation is taking his abilities across the UK and Europe as he faces the massive boys within the Premier League.
Venues can be packed out to see the brand new darting icon tackle the most important names within the sport – Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwin, Michael Smith, Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price, Peter Wright and Nathan Aspinall over the subsequent few months.
Our particular Premier League preview charts Littler’s astronomic rise, turns the highlight on his rivals for the coveted title, contains an unique column from James Wade, interviews with legends of the sport, present Premier League gamers and PDC chairman Eddie Hearn – and it tells you every part you must know in regards to the match.
Humphries’ 20-match profitable streak, unfold throughout 4 tournaments, got here to an finish towards Gerwyn Price in Bahrain earlier this month. But he has resolved to revive manufacturing facility settings and construct one other lengthy unbeaten run.
He mentioned: “You never want the winning streak to be over. In the back of my mind I knew it was going to happen one day because I wasn’t going to carry on winning for the next 25 years.
“It can be a relief in some ways – now my goal is to beat that 20-game streak and make it 21 one day. That’s the feat to beat.”
