Luke Humphries worries darts fans with brutally honest interview after win at International Darts Open
Luke Humphries gave an emotional interview after his routine victory against Dirk van Duijvenbode in the second round of the International Darts Open on Saturday evening.
Humphries, 30, won 6-1 in Germany but gave an emotional and honest interview following the victory.
'Cool Hand' explained how he was feeling the effects of Darts' demanding schedule having played 19 matches in March - including appearances in the Premier League, Players Championship and World Series Darts.
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"When I’m up on stage I am just feeling emotionless," said an emotional Humphries.
"It’s weird and it’s me being honest to all the fans. I feel like my emotions are just all over the place.
"It’s not that I don’t want to be here — it just seems a chore for me at the moment.
“It’s just too much darts. I’m playing too much. I think I need a break.
"I’m emotionless and it is not good for my mental state.
"The emotion was drained from there. Usually I have the fight in me.
"Dirk, I felt like, was nervous and he gave the game away for me to get the win.
"He gave me the confidence to push on and get the victory. Hopefully that has given me ammunition to go and pick up another title because I am desperate for one."
And he's not the first Darts star to open up about the rigorous schedule which players are expected to cope with.
Rob Cross opened up about the struggles he faced after winning the PDC World Darts Championship in 2018.
“There’s a lot on their calendar, I can’t dispute that, but at the same time, you’ve got to learn how to man-manage yourself," Cross told the Daily Record.
"For the early ones coming in, if they do greatness straight away, a bit like me first year, it’s a harsh learning curve. You might not get it right for a year or two, but you will get it right if you keep trying. There’s nothing but the end of it, feeling burnt out and stuff. You never play well."
Even teenage sensation and current PDC world champion Luke Littler admitted that he needs down time between events.
"I have been playing very well," Littler told Sky Sports in March.
"I have not picked my darts up since last Thursday - I had a week off to chill."
In April, when speaking on Stick to Football, brought to you by Sky Bet, he also conceded that he "barely" practices outside of events.
“Some people like to practice a lot, but I barely practice during the week," said Littler.
"I was being honest the other week in my interview about not picking up a dart from the previous tournament.
“We have the Premier League on a Thursday and usually, we’re then flying somewhere on the Friday for an international tournament, so you’re playing Thursday to Sunday.
"On Monday and Tuesday, we tend to have pro tours and then back to the Premier League on a Thursday. My practice is playing in these tournaments every week.”
Topics: Darts, Luke Littler
Luke Davies