Luke Littler has brought attention to the issue of professional darts players experiencing burnout following world No.1 Luke Humphries’ acknowledgment that playing had started to feel like a burden. Despite initial social media backlash, Littler, also known as Luke the Nuke and relatively new to the Professional Darts Corporation circuit, expressed support for Humphries.
The 18-year-old advised Humphries, the former world champion, to concentrate on the rigorous 17-week Premier League tour, where they both currently hold top positions in the rankings. With a Players Championship event looming in Leicester, Littler cautioned about the challenges players face, particularly with extensive travel schedules and demanding tournament logistics.
Reflecting on Humphries’ admission of struggling with the relentless playing schedule, Littler echoed similar sentiments shared by Gerwyn Price and emphasized the importance of finding a balance to avoid burnout. Recalling a recent match against Humphries, where both players expressed fatigue, Littler highlighted the physical and mental toll of constant competition.
Humphries, competing in his 11th tournament of the year, reached the semi-finals of the International Darts Open before bowing out to Stephen Bunting. Experiencing emotional exhaustion, Humphries opened up about feeling overwhelmed and the need for a break to preserve his well-being.
Facing criticism from some unsympathetic voices on social media, Humphries expressed frustration at the lack of understanding towards his struggles and hinted at a more guarded approach in future interactions with the public. Price, set to compete against Littler in the upcoming BetMGM Premier League event, echoed Humphries’ concerns about the demanding nature of the sport, especially in terms of travel and competition intensity.
After a disappointing performance in Riesa, Price shared his relief at heading home and expressed the toll that excessive darts playing takes on players. The shared sentiments of exhaustion and the need for self-care among top darts players underscore the challenges they face in maintaining peak performance amidst a demanding tournament schedule.