TAKING THE MIC
Michael van Gerwen fumes at ‘scandalous’ treatment of darts world champion Luke Humphries and adds ‘that hurts him’
MICHAEL VAN GERWEN has slammed the "scandalous" treatment of world champion Luke Humphries.
Humphries, 29, claimed his first world title at Ally Pally last month when he defeated teenage sensation Luke Littler to win the crown.
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But much of the talk during and after the tournament surrounded 17-year-old prodigy Littler.
And Humphries, who also won the World Grand Prix and Grand Slam in 2023, has struggled to find his best form since the world championships, picking up just five points from the opening four rounds of the Premier League.
But three-time world champion Van Gerwen, 34, believes Humphries has not received as much attention as he deserves.
And the Dutchman, who claimed a third successive Premier League win of the season in Newcastle on Thursday night, spoke on the matter earlier this week.
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Speaking to , he said: ''I actually think it's a bit scandalous toward Luke Humphries.
''That guy is the world champion, won all the major majors last year and nobody talks about him. Deep down, that hurts him."
Van Gerwen also called for less pressure to be put on Littler - who he beat in a thrilling semi-final in Newcastle.
He added: "He's fantastic, but everyone puts so much pressure on him. Let him mature first.
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"He's done well, but that's only two months, I've been doing it for 18 years.
"Of course he has everything to become a very big one, but give him a break, y'all.
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";Qualifiers, Euro Tours, Pro Tours, a girlfriend, he has to learn to live with all that.
"Let him bump his nose and make mistakes, that's where he learns the most."
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