Luke Humphries has expressed pride in his achievements during his reign as world number one, as he bids to maintain that status at the Machineseeker European Championship this weekend.
Humphries is embroiled in a battle with his great rival Luke Littler for the world number one spot in Dortmund, with the world’s top two players set to go head-to-head in the quarter-finals, if they come through their respective Round Two ties on Saturday.
Littler ran out an emphatic 6-1 winner against Raymond van Barneveld in his opener at the Westfalenhalle, although Humphries produced the performance of the tournament so far in his six-leg blitz of Krzysztof Ratajski.
The 30-year-old averaged 109.98 and converted a stunning 161 checkout to cap off a majestic victory, having set the tone for his dominant display by kicking off the contest with six perfect darts.
“I have set the bar high there,” admitted Humphries, who will play Cameron Menzies for a place in the quarter-finals on Saturday evening.
“I felt really good against Krzysztof. I don’t play for averages. I want to win and that’s all that matters, and I’m looking forward to the game against Cammy.
“That will be a really tough one so I’ve got to keep that level of performance up, and if I can make it to the latter stages, that is when I really am dangerous.”
Littler will take on 2018 champion James Wade in a blockbuster Round Two clash, as he bids to add the European Championship crown to successes at the World Championship, UK Open, World Matchplay and World Grand Prix in 2025.
The teenage sensation will become the new world number one if he progresses to Sunday’s final, although Humphries acknowledges it will take something special to retain that position over the coming months.
“I could win this, I could win the Grand Slam, the Players Championship Finals, but if I don’t win the World Championship, I’m not going to be world number one,” continued Humphries.
“I might have to accept that I could lose it for a couple of months, and then if I go to the World Championship and win it, I’ll gain it back!
“I’m pretty sure that if I don’t win the title this weekend I’m definitely going to lose it, but if I don’t win the World Championship, I won’t have it anyway.
“I’ve enjoyed it. 22 months of such success and I’ve embraced it, and I have really enjoyed being world number one.
“I think I’ve done it justice to be honest, and whether I never get it back or I do keep it for a long, long time, I’m proud of what I’ve achieved.
“If Luke does take it this weekend, he will be a worthy world number one, but I’m not going to give it away. I’m going to fight as hard as I can.”
2025 Machineseeker European Championship
Saturday October 25
Afternoon Session (1245-1700 CEST, 1145-1600 BST)
Round Two x4
Ryan Searle v Gian van Veen
Daryl Gurney v Ross Smith
Martin Schindler v Ryan Joyce
Chris Dobey v Michael van Gerwen
Evening Session (1900-2300 CEST, 1800-2200 BST)
Round Two x4
Ricardo Pietreczko v Jermaine Wattimena
Nathan Aspinall v Danny Noppert
Luke Littler v James Wade
Luke Humphries v Cameron Menzies
Best of 19 legs