The reigning world champion Luke Humphries has come downunder to win. The man who is also the current match play champion is facing a unique challenge on Friday night as he tries to play his best game whilst still recovering from the big journey to get here.
“I am really pleased to be here. The jet lag is the hardest part. It is something new to deal with this jet lag, I am tired and not had that much sleep yet but I will soon get used to it. I am sure that I will be right by Friday night. I can deal with being really tired, I have been in tournaments, like in Europe, where I did not have great night sleeps going into it, thought it may not play out well for me but won the tournament. Despite the jet lag I can’t use it as an excuse, I need to try my hardest and go out and win my game on Friday night and that gives me another day to further recover.”
On stage at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool just after he won the matchplay he listed winning a World Series event as one of the things he wanted to tick off his list of 2024 achievements.
“The World Series is not something I have won this year so it is on the horizon to win this year. It is something on TV that I have not win, I would love to win downunder, it would mean a lot to me so I am really, really focussed on winning over this weekend.”
It is a unique situation that such a fabulous player who has achieved so much success in 2024 is not gaining the mainstream media attention that he should garner, even in Australia, such is the popularity of the Luke Littler story. It is an unfair situation really but one that he continues to show his class in dealing with it.
“I still feel like I am the number one. Luke Littler is more popular than me of course, but I am the one that is winning all these championships. I am the World Champion and Matchplay Champion, whether the media attention is on me or not does not matter as what I care about is winning trophies and that is what I am doing. You have two big superstars playing in Australia for the first time and we are both very privileged to be here.”
Humphries is a very calm character, thus his nickname, and carries himself with a confidence that was evident throughout his progress at the World Championships and his success beyond. He is maintaining that for his journey on the stages at Wollongong and Hamilton.
“If you become arrogant it puts you on the back foot, it never ends well to boast what you are going to do. For me I just trust my game and I know that if I am on my game then it will take a tough player to beat me.”
He is excited to be able to show the fans why he has had so much success this year, his first matchup being against Joe Comito on Friday night at the WIN Entertainment Centre Wollongong.
“I am just so proud that I am finally here, disappointed I could not come last year but super excited to be here now.”
Keep up to date with all the events at the DPA socials and website. Live coverage is also on Fox Sports
About Author
