Teenage darts sensation Luke Littler has fired back after his rival Luke Humphries declared they’re headed for “war” at upcoming major tournaments, admitting he “lost [his] head” during their recent Grand Slam of Darts final showdown.
War Declared by Humphries
Humphries, 30, made headlines after his loss to Littler in the Grand Slam final — a defeat that saw him surrender the world No. 1 ranking. He didn’t hold back, promising a response at the World Darts Championship and stating: “We are going to go to war … World Championships, me and him in a final.” (Dartsnews.com)
Littler Admits He Lost Focus
In his own response, Littler acknowledged that during the Grand Slam final he “lost [his] head a bit,” particularly when things weren’t going his way. (The Sun) He added that he took some time out during the match to reset, telling himself: “don’t get how I am losing.” (The Sun)
Despite the turbulence, he said he respects Humphries’ vow of rivalry and believes it’s only going to intensify their matches. “It definitely is war … we’re always going to play each other week-in, week-out.” (The Sun)
A Battle for the Top Spot
Littler also emphasised the stakes: climbing to world No. 1 took him almost 20 months, and he’s not planning to give it up easily. (GB News) He said the challenge from Humphries only strengthens his determination. “Now I’ve finally closed the gap … but now he wants it back and I’ve got to make sure that I’m on my game if we ever do meet in another final.” (GB News)
Littler Says the Rivalry Will Continue Long-Term
Speaking to Sky Sports, Littler declared he’s ready for a long-term battle, not just in the Players Championship Finals but also at the World Championship. (Sky Sports) He believes their rivalry has pushed both of them to new heights — and that there are many more big games to come.
“I think we’ve been fighting war with each other for the past two years … and it’s only going to continue. We’re only going to get better.” (Sky Sports)
What This Means
- Mental resilience: Littler is being honest about his emotional moments, showing maturity in recognising where he struggled.
- Rivalry heating up: With Humphries vowing revenge and Littler defending his No. 1 spot, fans can expect some epic clashes soon.
- Consistency is key: Littler’s focus is not just on winning — it’s on staying at the top.
