James Wade says only Phil Taylor and maybe Michael van Gerwen are better than Luke Humphries

10 October 2024, 23:33 | Updated: 11 October 2024, 06:35

James Wade backed up Gary Anderson's comments earlier in the week by launching a passionate defence of Luke Humphries, suggesting only Phil Taylor and "maybe" Michael van Gerwen have been better world champions than him.

World No 1 Humphries has dominated the last 12 months, which began with the World Grand Prix title in 2023, then triumphs at the Grand Slam of Darts, Players Championship Finals and the World Championships at the Alexandra Palace later that season.

Humphries, who is in quarter-final action at the World Grand Prix on Friday at 7pm on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+, also won the World Cup of Darts with Michael Smith for England in the summer and the World Matchplay for the first time.

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Wade's comments come just two days after two-time world champion Anderson stated Humphries gets "overlooked" and deserves "a bit more respect".

"I would like to say me and Gary Anderson don't get on very well, at times," said Wade in the press conference, unprompted after his 3-0 win over Gerwyn Price on Thursday.

"But what I will say is, I believe Luke Humphries is probably the second or third best world champion we have ever had.

"We have had [lots of] world champions. Luke Humphries has won almost everything after the World Championship, and before it.

"I really think the public and yourselves [the media] are failing a bit. We have never had a world champion like it. The last world champion we had as good as him, maybe Michael, but before him Phil Taylor."

Wade: I feel really sorry for Humphries

Wade will play Belgian Mike De Decker in the opening World Grand Prix quarter-final on Friday and could meet Humphries in the final on Sunday if the pair win their next two matches.

On Wednesday, Humphries said he feels he does get "a lot of credit" and the media has given him praise.

Wade continued his lengthy answer in the press conference and pointed out that although Humphries doesn't have the same effect as Taylor, he is a "special" player".

"I feel really sorry for Luke Humphries. I don't need to do this. I could have finished the conversation 30 seconds ago and walked out of the door," he continued.

"You're not going to get someone as great as him for a long time. I think we need to celebrate it. The things he's doing are magnificent.

"I'm not going to rant on as much as Gary did, but the things he's done and the things he's won. Tell me another world champion that's won as much as he's done afterwards.

"It's quite sad for darts. If it was an Olympian gold medallist, Luke Humphries has won more than an Olympic gold medallist in the last three, four, five, six years.

"You've got someone who is so special and winning so much and it's sad you're not celebrating him."

He added: "I'm not someone that cares about darts, but the world champions of the last 10 to 15 years, can you tell me any of them that have progressed and dominated and won tournaments after that? There's none. Michael maybe.

"I actually think what he's doing is greater than what Michael has done in a shorter space of time.

"Michael is different gravy, but what Luke's doing at the moment is magical, and we are not grabbing it."

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