LUKE AFTER HIM
We’ll look after Luke Littler and make sure no one takes advantage of him, says darts world No1 Luke Humphries
Humphries is set to face Littler for the third time this week
LUKE HUMPHRIES has vowed that the top players will “look after” hot property Luke Littler.
The two new big stars of darts will clash for the third time in less than a month at the opening of the Premier League in Cardiff on Thursday night.
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Cool Hand beat the Warrington wonderkid in the World Championship final on January 3 - but the 17-year-old won their Dutch Masters quarter-final clash at the weekend.
However, Humphries has revealed that the big names of the sport are looking out for their new red-hot rival and he’s not jealous of the attention that Littler is getting.
He said: “I’m going to have to play Luke Littler for the next 20 years many times.
“It’s something that I’m going to be looking forward to.
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“He might beat me in Cardiff, I might beat him. But I got the important one in my mind. I got the one I really wanted to win, the world title.
“I think he’s deserved all the plaudits he gets because he’s achieved something that we’ll never see again.
“My dream wasn’t for everyone to go crazy about me. My dream was to be World Champion.
“Whether that comes with attention or it doesn’t, that doesn’t bother me.
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“A lot of people think it bothers me but it doesn’t. I’ve achieved the dream.
“Whatever comes with that, whether it’s lots of media attention or whether there’s none, it doesn’t matter. I’ve achieved my dream and nothing will take that away from me.
“I have had a lot of media attention. But Luke’s had a bit more because he’s the star of the show at the moment.
“I think it’s important that all us players look after him and make sure no one takes advantage of him or tries to use him too much.
“That will happen in life, people want to use him because of his popularity and his stature. But all the players will look after him to make sure that none of that happens.
“He’s a great kid, he’s got a bright future.”
Humphries also admitted that he was RELIEVED that his 20-game winning streak ended at the Bahrain Masters a fortnight ago.
Now he is aiming to break his own record before he retires.
He added: “You never want the winning streak to be over but in the back of your mind you know it will be over. It is going to happen. I'm not going to win the rest of my matches for the next 25 years.
"It can be a relief because you can get a new streak and go again.
“That’s my goal now. By the time I retire it will be that 20-game streak, if I can make it to 21 one day. That’s the feat to beat.
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“I don’t get nervous but I still get apprehension. Regardless of being World No1 or World Champion, you still want to get through the first game.
“I’m always at my best when I feel like I’m in the tournament. Unless I win that first round game I don’t feel like I’m in the event.”
Littler concern?
Luke Littler raised concern ahead of the Premier League Darts getting underway following his defeat in the Dutch Masters final to Michael van Gerwen.
The 17-year-old has enjoyed a whirlwind few months that has seen him rise to fame, make the World Champs final and win the Bahrain Masters, as well as mix with other celebs.
Littler was offered a spot in the elite Premier League after his Ally Pally heroics and fears he could not be feeling fresh come his February 1 debut.
The wonderkid said: "Hopefully I haven't burnt myself out for the Premier League next week.
"But I'll take this as match practice and it goes into my World Series ranking, but I can't wait to go down to Cardiff."
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