Overcoming struggles & Taylor’s advice – Humphries seals triple crown

Luke Humphries’ smile was visible to the entire family.

The world number one was full of emotions less than two months after declaring he felt “emotionless” on the oche due to a stringent playing schedule that had made darts a “chore.”

In front of a packed O2 Arena with tears streaming in his eyes as he triumphantly defeated Luke Littler to win his first Premier League title, there was no shortage of joy, satisfaction, or relief on display.

The 30-year-old said, “It’s about when I had those struggles in March.”

When you accomplish things like this, it felt like you put in the effort and sacrificed yourself for it.

You work so hard, you stay away from home for a long time, and you get them awards. The world is meant by that.

“I do think I have that mental strength,” she said. As I previously stated, I know that if I win the title, it will be because of my mental fortitude and conviction. That is what I believe happened.

I had a 3-0 lead in the final and could have easily let that slip away, but I used mental fortitude to hold on to the lead.

Humphries, who had mental health issues and anxiety at times throughout his career, has previously reflected on how to become a world champion in 2024. After experiencing an anxiety attack on stage in 2018, he considered quitting the sport.

After his most recent victory, Humphries was already anticipating the future, having overcome those struggles to add yet another significant title to his total.

I’m only a few titles away from becoming the third-most successful darts player because I’m still relatively young in the game, he continued.

Humphries won the Premier League, becoming only the fourth player to win the tournament’s three championships, which also include the World Championship and the World Matchplay.

It “feels incredible.” Only four people have done it, which makes it “absolutely special,” he said.

He continued, “I’ve joined an elite club with Gary Anderson, Phil Taylor, and Michael van Gerwen,” in a statement to Sky Sports.

“I have to say a big “thank you” to Phil Taylor for supporting me for a long time. If you are watching, Phil, thank you because it really helped me.

He gave me a lot of advice and that extra boost.

Humphries insisted that the advice he received from the 16-time world champion would remain with them, but that he had also stated that it was only about himself and not any of his rivals.

He admitted to lying to me and not believing in me at all, according to Humphries.

The pair have faced off again 22 times since their initial encounter in the 2024 World Championship final, with Littler winning 13 of those victories over Humphries’ 10th.

They are the world’s two top players, and it has proven to be absolutely clear over the past 18 months.

When they are in top form, it seems as though the other player is the only one who can live with them.

Add to that level by their consistency, and it’s no wonder the Littler-Humphries rivalry is being hailed as one that could dominate darts for years to come.

According to Sky Sports pundit Wayne Mardle, “These two could have sewn up.”

They will be the darting industry’s mainstay. For the better part of these two, players will have to play extremely well.

Someone will have to step up if they have that hunger for four, five, six, or even ten years.

Humphries was less convinced when asked if he and Littler would be engaged in a 10- or 15-year battle at the top.

The issue is that there is always a second person waiting for you, he said.

“In five years, there might be as many players as me and Luke in terms of a battle between us all.”

We’d love to compete in many finals over the next ten years, which we probably will, but there will likely be many other names involved with us.

Humphries and Littler have, however, decided to stay away from the chasing pack for the time being.

There is still no sign of familiarity breeding contempt even after 23 matches against each other in such a short amount of time.

I cherish him,” Humphries compared his teenage rival to the fact that “I think he’s a good kid.”

He’s one of my close darts friends. Because he is young and has a great talent, he will probably win much more than I will ever win in my career.

“I’m just happy when I pick up a few here and there,” I thought. I told him on the stage that I was extremely happy to win, but I’m confident that he would get me back in the future.

The Luke and Luke saga’s final is “just another final.”

The rivals will team up as team-mates for England at the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt in June when they compete against one another in the following stages of the saga.

I’m in a rush, Littler told Sky Sports. He won it last year, so I’m hoping he can win.

It’s only a matter of time before they will square off again in a major tournament against each other in what should be a formidable duo.