Luke Humphries believes no darts player ‘works harder’ than him after being branded as ‘lazy’ by James Wade.
Wade sealed his spot in the last 16 of the World Masters in Milton Keynes on Friday following a 3-2 win over Mike De Decker.
GettyHumphries evidently didn’t appreciate Wade’s ‘lazy’ comment[/caption]
But it was Wade’s comments following the win that generated headlines as he took a thinly-veiled swipe at Humphries and Luke Littler.
“I don’t believe anyone is amazing apart from probably Luke and Luke and, after that, they can be quite lazy,” Wade said.
“They’re not Phil Taylor’s, they’re not Michael van Gerwen’s at their best, but they are phenomenal players.
“But there’s gaps in the market and it is what it is.”
Humphries is already a step further than Wade at the World Masters having thrashed Josh Rock 4-0 in their last-16 encounter.
Despite not directly addressing the ‘lazy’ dig from Wade, the 2024 world champion vehemently defended his work ethic and vowed to be the standard-setter in darts.
“I’m searching for something better,” Humphries said.
“I’m really happy with my performances over the last 18 months, I’ve been really good, but if you’re going to keep up you’ve got to get better and I want to set the standard.
“There’s no player that works harder than me. Yesterday, I was the only player here practicing because I want to be performing at the highest level.
“I want to challenge Luke [Littler], Michael [van Gerwen and Gezzy [Gerwyn Price], I don’t want it to phase out and not to aspire to something great.
“I’m working incredibly hard and that’s all I care about. If it doesn’t work out for me then so be it.
“But all I can tell myself is I’m working hard from the ability I’ve got and I’m just trying to find something that can make me even better and challenge everybody.”
Humphries’ qualification to the quarter finals of the World Masters marks his deepest run in the tournament by some margin.
The 29-year-old had previously competed in the event three times, but had never made it beyond the third round.
But the world number one is now just three wins away from his first title of the year having fallen short at the Bahrain Masters and Dutch Masters.
As for Littler, he has the chance to make Wade pay for his comments as the pair face off on Saturday night in the last-16 of the World Masters.
PDCLittler will be out to send Wade packing from the World Masters[/caption]
The pair have faced off just twice previously, with Littler and Wade winning one each.
Littler goes into the match on the back of a 3-0 whitewash over Andy Baetens in the first round in which he averaged 104.33.