Three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen has dismissed the growing hype around teenage darts sensation Luke Littler, instead backing Luke Humphries as the world’s best player.
Van Gerwen’s comments come as the darting world prepares for the upcoming World Darts Championship and the Dutchman is clear on who he feels deserves the most recognition.
When asked directly about who he considers the world’s best player, van Gerwen was unequivocal in his response.
“I think it’s Luke Humphries,” the Dutchman stated firmly during his Viaplay interview.
Luke Littler is seen as the favourite
PA
The Dutch star’s comments became particularly pointed when challenged about Littler’s popularity.
When the interviewer suggested most people would consider Littler the superior player, Van Gerwen firmly rejected this notion.
“But I don’t agree with that,” he responded. “That’s just because there’s a Littler hype, which kind of overshadows Humphries, and that’s not really fair.”
Littler heads into the World Darts Championships as the odds-on favourite despite Humphries entering as the world No 1.
The teenage phenom won the Premier League, Grand Slam of Darts and World Series of Darts in his debut season on the PDC Tour.
Michael van Gerwen could face Luke Littler in the final
PA
But nobody has managed to match Humphries at the top of the Order of Merit as he clinched his first World Championships, the World Matchplay, the World Cup and the Players Championship.
Van Gerwen’s fellow Dutch player Vincent van der Voort agrees with his compatriot that Humphries should be considered the favourite.
He added: “I do think Littler’s peak might be a bit higher, but Humphries is the most complete player right now.
“Littler is spectacular. When he’s in full flow, you think, ‘Wow, what am I even watching?’.
“But if you look at the results across the whole year, Humphries is just much more consistent.”
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Luke Humphries is the defending champion
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Littler has received a bye into the second round at the World Darts Championship after climbing to No 4 in the Order of Merit.
He’s been drawn into the same half as Humphries, meaning the two could meet in this year’s semi-finals.
Littler will first have to get past either Fallon Sherrock or Ryan Meikle, who face off next Tuesday.
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