Throughout 2024, Luke Humphries and Luke Littler have been a constant thorn in each other’s side.
The pair have met 14 times this year, with Luke Littler triumphing over Luke Humphries on eight occasions.
Despite Littler’s better head-to-head record, Humphries has managed to clinch two major titles by beating The Nuke in a final.
Cool Hand claimed the 2024 World Darts Championship with a 7-4 win over Littler, as well as the Players Championship Finals in an 11-7 victory.
The pair bring the best out of each other and Humphries has revealed an aspect to The Nuke’s game that surprises him.
Luke Humphries shocked by Luke Littler’s mentality
Humphries and Littler can meet each other in the semi-finals of the World Darts Championship should they get that far and Cool Hand has opened on on what makes The Nuke so dangerous to play against.
In an interview with Hawksbee and Jacobs Daily, Humphries detailed his long-running history with the teenager.
He said: “I knew Luke when he was about 13 years of age, and I played him in this local tournament, and he took out a 164 against me.
I think I beat him 3-2. And for a 12, 13-year-old at that time, it was like, where’s that come from? When I was 12, I could hardly get 20. I mean, it was quite a surprising thing to see.
“But I followed his career after that and seen his progress and how good he was getting. When he went to the World Championships last year, I expected him to do well.”
Humphries divulged further information about Littler’s unbelievable run to the World Darts Championship finals in January 2024 and said his mentality is what got him there.
Cool Hand continued: “[I] did not expect him to make the final, in all honesty. But when you’re that age, kind of nerves are steel. He shows surprised me the most.
“His talent’s fantastic. But when he’s under pressure, he still manages to perform at the highest level.”
Humphries has won his last three games against Littler at the Players Championship Finals, the Czech Darts Open, and the Swiss Darts Trophy.
Will Littler go one better this year?
Littler’s Grand Slam victory and Players Championship Finals runner-up spot have stood him in good stead for another crack at the World Darts Championship.
Last year The Nuke had the element of surprise, but this year he’s got a whole year’s worth of experience to lean on in difficult situations.
Littler has showcased his brilliant knack for getting out of tough situations, exhibited perfectly by his last-leg decider wins against Mike De Decker and Gary Anderson at the Grand Slam.
With more technical nous to add to his outrageous raw talent, Littler has every chance to claim his first World title.