Glen Durrant and Dan Dawson give their take on Wade’s comments; watch the World Grand Prix semi-finals on Saturday at 8.30pm, live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+
Luke Humphries says Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen will always be “above me” after James Wade heaped praise on the world No 1.
Wade described Humphries as a “special” player, adding only Taylor and “maybe” Van Gerwen have been better world champions.
Earlier in the week at the World Grand Prix, Gary Anderson stated Humphries gets “overlooked” and deserves “a bit more respect”.
Their opinions are really amazing. They fill me with great confidence. They are two legends of the game,” said Humphries, who will play Ryan Joyce in the semi-finals of the World Grand Prix from 8.30pm on Saturday live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+.
“Everyone knows I’m really good friends with James and I get on well with Gary. I’ve not influenced what they have said. I guess they just want a lot more than me.
I watched James’ comments, where he said I could be the second [best player ever] but probably not, Phil and Michael will always be above me. But he has a point.
It’s been a great journey for me but I’m just happy to win titles. I don’t look too much into what the media say.
I don’t really care that much. It’s just nice from the last few days that two great professionals that I look up to are giving me credit, that makes me feel good inside.”
Anderson and Wade’s passionate responses about Humphries suggested the reigning world champion does not get enough credit.
Wade stated darts won’t see “someone as great as him for a long time” and that people need to “celebrate” it, as he continually pointed out only Taylor and arguably Van Gerwen have been better.
Humphries continued: “If you told me 10 years ago that Gary Anderson and James Wade are saying these incredible things about you, I would have laughed.
“It’s really great and nice. I’m just trying my best to build this sport into a good place. There are so many great players. I just want to be a part of it and build this sport into a great spectacle and give the fans what they want. That’s all I care about.”
Taylor’s record-breaking 16 World Championships is something which almost everyone feels will never be beaten, while Van Gerwen was almost unbeatable for a period and won three world titles in 2014, 2017 and 2019, but has won 47 major titles.
Humphries has won eight majors, with only Wade (10), Van Gerwen (47) and Taylor (92) having more.
PDC World Champions
Year Player
1994 Dennis Priestley
1995 Phil Taylor
1996 Phil Taylor
1997 Phil Taylor
1998 Phil Taylor
1999 Phil Taylor
2000 Phil Taylor
2001 Phil Taylor
2002 Phil Taylor
2003 John Part
2004 Phil Taylor
2005 Phil Taylor
2006 Phil Taylor
2007 Raymond van Barneveld
2008 John Part
2009 Phil Taylor
2010 Phil Taylor
2011 Adrian Lewis
2012 Adrian Lewis
2013 Phil Taylor
2014 Michael van Gerwen
2015 Gary Anderson
2016 Gary Anderson
2017 Michael van Gerwen
2018 Rob Cross
2019 Michael van Gerwen
2020 Peter Wright
2021 Gerwyn Price
2022 Peter Wright
2023 Michael Smith
2024 Luke Humphries
Humphries calls for people to embrace darts
Humphries is on course to defend his World Grand Prix title after he had a nervy win over Jonny Clayton on Friday night in Leicester.
The 29-year-old’s remarkable 12 months started with winning the ‘double in, double out’ tournament last year, before he went on to win the Grand Slam of Darts, Players Championship Finals, World Championships, World Cup and World Matchplay.
