Luke Humphries pays Luke Littler the ultimate six-word compliment after winning Players Championship
WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Luke Littler beats Luke Humphries to win Players Championship
Luke Humphries believes Luke Littler is 'the best player in the world' despite beating his rival 11-7 to win the Players Championship on Sunday night.
The 29-year-old went into the showdown hoping to beat his fierce rival for the third match in a row.
And Humphries did exactly that, with the experienced star too strong for young nemesis as he secured glory in Minehead.
It was a brilliant performance from the darts star, who retained the trophy he won last year.
Luke Humphries believes Luke Littler is the 'best player in the world' despite beating his rival 11-7 to win the Players Championship on Sunday night
GETTY
Speaking after his victory, however, Humphries opted to hail Littler by dubbing the 17-year-old the 'best player in the world'.
Humphries told ITV Sport: "This trophy was in my living room a couple of months ago and now I've got it back!
"I'm really, really proud of that one to be honest. I didn't feel myself this week, playing-wise, I felt like I was a dart behind in a lot of the scenarios.
"There's something that Luke does to you, he really drives me. He makes me want to be a better player. I enjoy playing him. He let me in really early in that first session to go 4-1 up but I never looked back.
"I'm proud the way I didn't take my foot off the gas like I have this whole weekend.
"A lot of the games, I've taken my foot off the gas and allowed people to come back at me. I was very fortunate against Dirk [van Duijvenbode], I rode my luck, but I got into the final and was in my comfort zone.
"These big games are what I live for and what I dream of, being a major champion, this is what I do it all for. I travel the world for these moments. Really, really pleased.
"A special moment to Luke, a fantastic game again, them finishes were unbelievable. He's just a special talent.
"He's right, I said to him 'I've got to get these early before it's na-nights and I don't win any.' So I'm really, really pleased to beat him there."
The Newbury-born thrower continued: "It is satisfying.
"I'd love to be up here hitting 105 averages like Luke is all the time but he's a different calibre.
"He's probably the best player in the world right now. If you go by stats, he's easily the best player in the world. But there's something about me that never gives up.
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HUMPHRIES GOES BACK-TO-BACK! 🏆
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) November 24, 2024
Luke Humphries retains his Players Championship Finals title!
Cool Hand puts on an absolute clinic to defeat Luke Littler 11-7 in an epic final!
📺 https://t.co/AmuG0PMn18 #PCF2024 | Final pic.twitter.com/nZDWPUVjWE
"As much as he is the best, I know I can beat him, he knows he can beat me.
"So this is a great way to go the Worlds now. A lot of people probably thought Luke was going to win this one and the Worlds.
"We like unpredictability in darts and that's what we've got in the last few months. Now, we've got that in the Worlds, who's going to win - me or Luke? Or is it going to be someone else? We'll have to find out!
"I said to Luke, there's a lot of pressure on our shoulders. Everyone expected a 110-average game there.
Luke Humphries was too strong for Luke Littler in the final of the Players Championship win
PA
"But it's hard to do it after a long day. When you're playing the best in the world, and he's playing one of the best in the world, it's hard to perform and be at that 110 average.
"I thought it was a decent game after the first five or six games. We're two players now that have to go on. He's made me a bit hungrier to try a bit harder to practice more and work out.
"If no one sticks with him, he's going to win everything. Maybe I'm that guy that can stick with him and have a good run over the next 5-10 years.
"I do believe we're the two best players in the world and I'm going to have to keep working hard to keep up with him."
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