Peter Wright has lifted the lid on what Luke Humphries told him after his magnificent 4-1 victory over the defending champion to reach the Paddy Power World Darts Championship quarter-finals.
Having defeated Jermaine Wattimena in the third round, Wright delivered a darting masterclass to dump out world number one Humphries, averaging 100.93 across the match.
Wright’s outstanding display was made all the more impressive by the fact he has been struggling with a nasty chest infection throughout the early rounds at London’s Alexandra Palace.
Two-time champion Snakebite had been vocal in the media heading into the match, insisting he was more than capable of causing an upset and did not fear either Humphries or Luke Littler, last year’s runner-up.
Humphries hit back, brushing off Wright’s apparent attempt ‘mind games’, but it appears it all forgotten about when the pair embraced on the stage in the immediate aftermath of their thrilling contest.
‘Yeah, he was just saying that the media get carried away with silly comments,’ Wright told talkSPORT shortly after his win.
‘He said that he didn’t say the things that it actually came across like.
‘I said Luke exactly the same, that is just the way it goes some time. He wished me all the best.
‘He’s a lovely guy, a real family guy and I wish him all the best moving forward.
‘He’s been a fantastic world champion, he’s done everything for the PDC and for the sport.
‘He goes all around the world doing interviews and stuff like Luke Littler has. They’ve been spreading the game fantastically.’
Wright, who is targeting a third world title at Ally Pally, believes Callan Rydz has asserted himself as the ‘favourite’ with some ‘fantastic darts’ across the early rounds.
‘It would be a dream to win three world titles to match Michael van Gerwen,’ he added.
‘I’d beat Jockey Wilson and Gary Anderson before they get it, but there is a way to go yet.
‘I’m not a favourite. That is ridiculous. There is a long way to go yet.
‘I make Callan Rydz favourite, he is the one playing fantastic darts. He’s the man to watch, not me.’
Shortly after his dethroning, Humphries – who converted just 14 of his 20 attempts at doubles – vowed to ‘bounce back’ when he returns to the oche in the new year.
‘I probably put too much pressure on myself tonight, but I thought I played okay,’ Cool Hand told reporters.
‘I kept hitting the treble first dart but I couldn’t follow it. Peter played fantastically and backed up what he said pre-match, so fair play to him.
‘I wasn’t at my best but I wasn’t terrible by any means, and I’ll bounce back. I will still sleep well tonight and look forward to next year.’
Humphries added: I’m still the world number one, and this result won’t deter me from going on to win more.
More Trending
‘I know that if I’m going to be playing this sport for 20 more years; I’m not going to win it every time, and if someone puts in a performance like that against you, you have to accept that the better player won.
‘There’s a long season ahead of me. We have another 12 months before we come back here and do it all again, but I want to win more in between that.
‘I’m not looking towards next year’s World Championship yet, but when we’re back here next year, of course I would love to get my title back.
‘I don’t see my career ending as a one-time World Champion. I do feel like I will win more.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE: James Maddison hits back after appearing at World Darts Championship hours after Spurs draw
MORE: Luke Littler warns opponent his pre-match comments are ‘not really good for his game’
MORE: Luke Humphries names only player to really impress him at World Darts Championship so far
