Luke Littler and Luke Humphries will continue their rivalry from the Players Championship final to next month’s World Darts Championship.
Littler and Humphries will be hoping to pull away from their other rivals and meet in another final at Alexandra Palace.
Humphries will be chasing Littler, who lost his world number one spot to the teenage star who won their most recent encounter at the Grand Slam of Darts final earlier this month.
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Highlights of the Grand Slam of Darts final between Littler and Humphries
“I’m ready,” Littler told Sky Sports News. “I think we’ve been at war with each other for the last two years and that’s going to continue. We’re only going to get better and we’re only going to produce more.”
“Me and Luke still have many years left.”
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On Love The Darts, Abigail Davis and Chris Murphy discuss Ritter’s rise to world No. 1 and who could challenge him for the world championship.
Littler further added, “If no one stops us, we’re going to keep competing in this finals. These guys obviously need to start participating because everyone on social media doesn’t like to see me and Luke.”
“But we bring out the best in each other and always put on a show for our fans.”
Humphries, who was dethroned as world champion by Littler earlier this year, insists losing his status as the best player in the world inspires him.
“When you’re playing for something, it gives you a little bit of extra power and I feel like it helped me a little bit,” he told Sky Sports News. “Maybe this second place in the world will push me to the number one position in the world.
“I’ve lost three finals in trotting. I don’t want to lose, so I want to reach the fourth final. Even if I don’t win, it’s important that I come back from these tournaments feeling good and playing. That will give me another boost towards the world championship.”
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After Littler won the Darts Grand Slam, the two exchanged friendly words and Humphries declared he intended to play Littler in the World Darts Championship.
“Obviously the world championship is something I really want,” he added. “I hope I can regain what I once had two years ago.
“This World Championship is all about being world champion again and making my name in history as the sixth or seventh player to win it multiple times.”
Littler, in contrast, is aiming for a second consecutive world championship. “Defending a Grand Slam, I definitely know for myself now that I can defend the title, but it’s a world championship and there’s 32 more players and it’s a longer tournament. I’m looking forward to it,” Littler said.
“There will be some nerves coming in as the reigning champion and world number one, but I am up to the task.
“It’s been 10 years since someone called Gary Anderson came on the scene in rapid succession,” he added. “The players are getting better and better. Hopefully, we can finish until the end and play back-to-back games.”
Despite Littler’s growing dominance, Humphries believes he can defeat Littler on the biggest stage.
“I just believe in myself,” Humphries said. “My spirits are still high and I’m playing good darts. There are still two majors left and, importantly, the World Championship, which I really want to win.
“I believe again. I thought so when I won the championship two years ago,” he concluded. “I have that confidence.”
