
LUKE HUMPHRIES is optimistic that his connection with ‘little brother’ Luke Littler could lead the darts scene for the next decade.
Humphries, 29, is on a mission to become the FOURTH player to defend the Sid Waddell Trophy successfully, joining the iconic Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis, and Gary Anderson.
If he secures £500,000 on January 3, his total prize money would surpass £2 million over the past year — an extraordinary milestone.
Sport thrives on rivalries, and Cool Hand views his rise alongside 17-year-old Littler as a catalyst for heightened competition and the dawn of a “new era.”
The world No 1, who has clinched seven major TV titles, stated: “I won my first major just months before Luke debuted, yet I feel like we have both progressed together.
“It’s not a competition about who outshines who; we’re both evolving together.
“Historically, Phil Taylor dominated until Michael van Gerwen surfaced to challenge him. Phil may not have embraced that change, unlike Michael, who welcomed it.
“Similar scenarios occurred with Eric Bristow and Taylor during Phil’s ascent.
“What sets us apart is that we’re both achieving success simultaneously.
“While I’ve enjoyed more victories in the past 15 months, I hope that over the next decade we can share the accolades and create our own legacies.”
In this year’s exhilarating contests between the ‘Lukes of Hazard’, Humphries triumphed at the Worlds, Littler excelled in the Premier League, and Cool Hand captured the title at the Players Championship.
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The duo maintains a respectful rivalry, frequently sharing fist bumps on stage and embracing each other — their competition is both supportive and constructive.
Humphries noted: “I see myself as an older brother figure to him. I first met him when he was around 12 or 13.
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“I understood his background; I knew his father as well. I can only imagine the emotions I’d experience at 17 if I were in his shoes.
“We have both advanced in the elite ranks of the sport. Our relationship is strong; he forges his own way, but we always find time to connect.
“Being at the pinnacle of this sport is exhilarating — it’s a privilege.
“We consider it an advantage that we’re both currently the top two players in the world.”
Humphries begins his title defense tonight against either France’s Thibault Tricole or Aussie Joe Comito, with a potential semifinal clash against Littler if both progress.
The Berkshire native added: “We come from different regions — I’m from the south, he’s from the north — yet we now live nearly adjacent to each other.
“If someone had predicted this a couple of years back, I would have found it hard to believe. He’d likely have the same thought.
“Circumstances can change rapidly; one of us might rise while the other could recede.
“Right now, we are vigorously competing for trophies, and I foresee that won’t change.
“He is significantly younger, and if he enhances his game, I will need to elevate my performance to keep pace.”