Humphries vows he's tough to beat

LUKE HUMPHRIES believes he is a "tough player to beat" as he bids to move up the Premier League standings. 

‘Cool Hand’ goes into tonight’s Premier League in Brighton seeking a crucial win over Gerwyn Price in the quarter-finals.

But humble Hump, 28, has hit back at his critics that have doubted him since that epic debut world title win at the start of the year. 

He said: “A lot of people are disgruntled this year and felt like I wasn’t at my best. 

“I don’t think anything has changed since I became world champion.

“I just think you are playing a lot more and people are going to beat me more. I’m not undefeatable. I’m just one of the top players, not the top player, just one of. 

“The sport is in a great place and anybody can beat anybody. My game is in a decent place. There is no hangover from the worlds. 

“I just think it’s a tough sport to master. I’m just going to keep going like I can and if I do I’ll be a tough player to beat.”

Humphries has reached one Premier League final and lost the UK Open final to Dimitri Van den Bergh on Sunday night. 

He still believes that the best is yet to come, adding: “I think a lot has changed for me since I became world champion. I feel like I can relax a bit more now. 

“When I left this sport I just wanted to be world champion. I’ve done that now. 

“I feel like I do have a bit more fun up there. I feel a bit more free. I feel like I’ve achieved the goals that I’ve always dreamed of doing. 

“Everything for me in my career now is a bonus. That makes me dangerous. I feel like if I’m relaxed I can play very good. 

“I just want to enjoy my career now. Pick up as many major titles as possible and be a part of the elite as long as I possibly can. It’s a great time to be involved in this sport.”

Night Six, The Brighton Centre.

Quarter-Finals: Luke Humphries vs Gerwyn Price, Rob Cross vs Michael van Gerwen, Nathan Aspinall vs Luke Littler, Michael Smith vs Peter Wright.

Words by Phil Lanning. 

Images by Taylor Lanning.