Luke Humphries was spotted shaking his head midway through his clash with Luke Littler during Thursday night’s Premier League final at the O2 Arena in London. Cool Hand went on to defeat the teenage sensation to pick up his first-ever Premier League title, but it wasn’t without drama.
Humphries and Littler were locked in a tense battle, but the pair were visibly frustrated with a draft that was impacting their throws. The world No.1, who ran out an eventual 11-8 victor, was spotted deep in conversation with his opponent, as the two made their way off stage for the mid-match interval.
Unable to ignore his frustration, Humphries looked annoyed by the conditions and was seen shaking his head as he trudged off stage. Humphries once again referenced the breeze in the 17th leg of the match, but the 2024 world champion was able to put it behind him to clinch his maiden Premier League title.
Reacting to the achievement, he, tongue firmly in cheek, told Sky Sports: “I can retire now, I’m done! No, I want to search for more. Littler is so good and makes me want to be a better player. I want to makes changes to my set-up to get better. Right now, I am doing okay. I have won eight major titles. It’s important I end the season well and regain the World Championship.”
Littler had stormed off stage earlier in the night, having admitted to feeling the pressure during his semi-final match against Gerwyn Price. Having fallen 6-4 behind the Iceman, Littler stormed towards the exit door during a pre-arranged mid-match break.
When quizzed about the incident afterwards, he explained: “As soon as Gez hit the double five to go 6-4 up, I went off stage, I needed to get up for it. First five or six legs I was nervous, so going into the break [after 10 legs] 6-4 down, it’s not what I wanted. But I knew myself I love coming on after a break. I just relaxed myself and got the job done.”
Asked about the tension during the match, Littler continued: “I’ll admit it, I was very nervous, the first five or six legs. This crowd, unbelievable, they got me over the line. I just know myself, I can relax now, watch the first 10 legs of the other semi-final and when they go for a break, I’ll get myself back on the practice board.”
