Luke Humphries has opted for a left-field choice when asked who he believes is the best player in the world right now.
World No. 1 Luke Humphries has had a tumultuous World Grand Prix title defence so far, producing an extraordinary comeback in the opening round against Stephen Bunting before dispatching Ricardo Pietreczko in round two.
Humphries bizarrely blasted fans about Leeds United chants after his team’s victory against Bunting but used his second-round press conference to make a bold claim about the world’s best player.
Luke Humphries picks Gary Anderson as the world’s best
Cool Hand picked two-time former World Champion Gary Anderson as the best player in the world after his victory against Pietreczko.
Speaking at the World Grand Prix press conference, Humphries said, “I respect him a lot. He’s a legend of the game who maybe doesn’t get the respect he deserves because he’s such a great player.
“I think in my eyes he’s the best player in the world if I’m being honest.
“I think it’s easier for me to sit there and say I am, but if you’re going off stats and potential, Gary Anderson is the best player in the world right now.”
Anderson recently called out Humphries’ treatment by the media and the tour and called for people to “Just give him a bit of respect”.
Anderson is one of the darting greats
Anderson plays Mike De Decker in the second-round of the World Grand Prix in Leicester on the opposite side of the draw to Humphries.
The Flying Scotsman defeated World No. 2 Michael Smith to set up the clash with De Decker and threw some excellent darts.
Anderson is a bonafide legend in the game and is still playing at a very high level – picking up Pro and European Tour titles in 2024 – but he is not currently the world’s best.
The rankings don’t lie and Humphries has more than earned the right to call himself the best in the world with two majors under his belt in 2024.
Cool Hand is three matches away from capturing a third major at the World Grand Prix, with Jonny Clayton next up in the quarterfinals.