Luke Humphries bites back at Peter Wright with brutal jibe about Scottish star’s career as build-up to their last-16 clash at the World Darts Championship turns sour
The talk between Luke Humphries and Peter Wright has already started, more than 24 hours before the lightning-fast giants face off in a thrilling last-16 draw at the World Championship.
Number one Humphries won last year’s edition of darts’ premier competition, beating 16-year-old Luke Littler in a classic final before embarking on a successful 2024 that saw him win the World Matchplay.
Wright, who at 54 is 25 years older than his opponent, has two world titles to his name – in 2020 and 2022 – but is currently ranked 19th in the world.
Englishman Humphries came through this year’s World Championship, beating Nick Kenny in straight sets on Friday night after edging past Thibault Tricole 3-0 in his opening match before Christmas.
His upcoming Scottish opponent stoically battled illness to edge past Jermaine Wattimena 4-2 last night. He defeated Wesley Plaisier 3-1 in his first match.
The two oche stars face off in a much-hyped clash on Sunday and have already exchanged barbs as the mind games begin.
Last year’s world champion Luke Humphries has hit back at Peter Wright’s trash talk
The Scot suggested he could play a lot better than Humphries or teenage sensation Luke Littler
The feud will continue after the world number one set up a last-16 clash with Wright
Wright said last week: ‘Who drives me? Luke Humphries and Luke Littler. Because I know I can still compete with them.
“You know, what I do in practice, I can compete with these guys and actually be better than them.”
The eight-time Major title winner looked into his crystal ball to give his verdict on how 17-year-old Humphries’ tournament would end this time, but the prediction turned out to be slightly incorrect.
“These little old guys can still do it. I believe Barney [Raymond van Barneveld] will defeat Lucas [Humphries] and me and Barney will have the best match you ever saw on that stage.”
Van Barneveld was eliminated in the second round by Kenny in the World Championship this year, meaning he never faced Humphries.
Last year’s champion then hit back with his own fight talk, suggesting he was on the verge of emulating what Wright had already achieved in the game.
“How many times have people said, ‘This is going to happen and this is going to happen,’ and it never happens?” he replied.
‘I think Peter likes to play mind games, but it doesn’t work for me.
He defeated Nick Kenny 4-0 to set up a fourth-round meeting with the two-time champion
Wright, meanwhile, battled illness to overcome Jermaine Wattimena and reach the next round
The Scot won the World Cup in 2020 and 2022 and is 25 years older than Humphries
“I’m one world title away from almost his career and I’m 25 years younger, so I think one world title would pretty much equal everything he’s achieved in the game.”
While there was plenty of drama at Alexandra Palace on the first day after the Christmas holidays, where Damon Heta hit a nine-darter, Humphries enjoyed a serene evening.
Kenny failed to create the form that saw him beat Van Barneveld in the previous round and the world number one did not have to come close to his best.
Speaking to Sky Sports after his fruitful win against Kenny, Humphries said: ‘It was one of those games where I didn’t want to take it for granted. He played a lot better and was relaxed. I expected a difficult match.
“I knew I wasn’t shooting. I suspected there was so much more to give, but it just didn’t come out of me. It was a solid performance, as long as I keep winning every set, that’s all that matters.
‘I don’t want to give anyone an inch, because they can handle a mile. I’m not going to give up this world title without a fight.
“It’s not my best, but if someone puts pressure on me, I know I can deliver the goods.
‘What I have developed most is confidence under pressure and still winning when I am not at my best. Many people would live to an average age of 98.5 years.
Wright incorrectly predicted that fellow veteran Raymond van Barneveld would go on the run this year
Luke Littler also revealed why he gets ‘frustrated’ during the World Darts Championship
The 17-year-old broke down in tears after his third-round victory over Ryan Meikle on Saturday
‘Peter Wright in the next round, I’m looking forward to that, believe me. He said he’s not scared of me and Luke Littler, so we’ll see in the next round.’
Today, Littler returns to the oche and following his second-round win against Ryan Meikle, the teenage sensation revealed why he’s getting ‘frustrated’ in the tournament – although it’s not for the worst reason.
“It’s definitely going to be frustrating in a good way,” he said. ‘Obviously as soon as you step up to treble 19 your eyes light up.
“I heard the camera pan around to the winner, so I’m sorry whoever you are! I’ll try again.’
Littler was talking about his nine-dart attempt, where he again missed double 12 and completed a leg in as few darts as possible.