Luke Humphries has spoken out on social media and replied to his critics after getting whitewashed at the Players Championship in Wigan. The reigning world champion dramatically lost 6-0 in the second round to world No. 64 Ian White as he continued his disappointing form since victory at Alexandra Palace.
‘Cool Hand Luke’ could only muster an 81.37 average as veteran White required just 98.02 to down Humphries, who exited without winning a single leg. The 29-year-old has struggled since winning the World Championship and his latest defeat came in just 12 minutes, prompting fans to ask questions about his performance.
One supporter pointed out that he has won just four out of 10 matches in all competitions this season and suggested that it had been a difficult start to life as world champion. Humphries, however, had a different theory and insisted that he was not worried in a direct response on X (formerly known as Twitter).
“Not really,” Humphries wrote. “The season’s only just started! I’m not going to win everything! you go through moments off playing well and bad. Worst game I’ve played this year.. they happen. I think because I’m world champion every little thing you do get criticised that’s the difference.
“The calendar is a LONG season.. judge me at the end of the year not now. I started off last year the same way and look what happened in the end..”
Humphries’ supporters told him to keep thinking positive but he knows that form will dip and rise as he next prepares for this week’s Premier League in Glasgow.
He replied to another fan saying: “My head is up mate.. people get so excited when you lose a game of darts like it’s the end of the world! I’m going to be playing for 20 years hopefully there will be moments of greatness and moments of terrible I’ve accepted that.. that’s darts for you.”
The controversial tournament also saw Humphries’ Premier League colleague Gerwyn Price walk out in the middle of his match. The Welshman blasted “absolutely pathetic” conditions as he was frustrated by the cold venue, which Humphries backed up.
“Absolutely freezing haha,” he said when another fan asked about whether they played a factor. However, Humphries refused to blame the lack of heating for his performance: “But same for both players! Ian handled it much better than I did.”
Humphries remains unbothered despite a below-par start to the season and is aware of the peaks and troughs that come with darts. Last year he struggled similarly but went on a 20-match winning run that included victories at the World Championship, Grand Slam of Darts and Players Championship finals.
