Luke Humphries insists he and Michael van Gerwen are the best two players in the world despite Luke Littler's lofty position in the Premier League.
Humphries stormed to victory over Van Gerwen in the final of the German Darts Grand Prix on Monday and snubbed the 17-year-old in his post-match interview.
Littler ended the world No 1's winning streak of nine matches in a row at the Premier League in Belfast last Thursday.
The teenager has now won his last four meetings against Humphries since losing to him in the World Championship final at Alexandra Palace.
Luke Humphries snubbed Luke Littler after beating Michael van Gerwen at the German Darts Grand Prix
Getty/PDC
Humphries is flying high at the top of the PDC rankings and is four points clear of Littler in the Premier League.
Van Gerwen is in third place in the table having won just one match in the last five nights of the four-month-long competition.
The Dutchman recovered some of his form to reach the final of the German Darts Grand Prix on Monday but was smashed 8-1 by Humphries in the final.
Humphries declared afterwards that he believed he wasn't going to get beaten by anyone.
He said: "I was just unbeatable there to be honest and I'm really, really proud of the way I've played this weekend.
"That's the level you have to be at to win nowadays. I felt a little bit tired against Gezzy [Gerwyn Price] but I kept going and that final against Michael felt effortless, it felt good.
"To put in performances like that in finals is obviously really pleasing, but for me to pick up another European Tour title two years on since my first is really special.
"The crowd have been absolutely amazing for me, it's something that I'm not used to but I really appreciate it - it meant a lot."
Not many would doubt that Humphries is currently the best player in the world of darts right now.
But the 29-year-old thinks Van Gerwen, not Littler, is behind him in second place despite his poor recent record against the young sensation.
Humphries added: "I think the two best players in the world were fighting it out. I know 8-1 is a bit of a flattering score but me and Michael will have many finals in the future.
"The way I've played this weekend is the levels you have to be to win - that's how crazy the game's got and that's how good you have to be to beat the likes of Michael.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Luke Littler has beaten Luke Humphries in their last four meetings
Getty
"He's been here for ten years consistently one of the best players in the world and I look up to him a lot, so to beat him in another final is fantastic.
"I just love playing him to be honest, he shows a lot of respect and it was a great final. That's elite sport - sometimes it's your day and today was my day."
Littler was not at the tournament in Germany. His low ranking meant he had to qualify, which he failed to do in February.
Van Gerwen paid tribute to Humphries but insists his winning run will not last forever.
Luke Humphries beat Michael van Gerwen 8-1 in the German Darts Grand Prix final
PDC
The three-time world champion said: "It's a good time for myself to [reach] the final. Of course there's a lot of negatives but also a lot of positives and my form I think has come far - to reach the final I think is a big positive.
"I want to say thank you to the crowd, thanks for the organisation - I think it was a good tournament and I'm pleased.
"You need to perform really well if you want to beat Luke, we all know that. Early doors in the game I had a few chances but my scoring wasn't good enough and fair play to him.
"I think at this moment he is the best player and we all have to face it, we have to battle but he also knows this is not going to run forever. He's playing some cracking darts, I have to admit that."
