Luke Humphries vows to take break from darts in heartbreaking confession

has suggested that he could take a break from darts and admits he feels 'emotionless' up on stage. Cool Hand thrashed Dirk van Duivenbode 6-1 in the second round of the International Darts Open but left feeling sombre over his mental wellbeing.

Humphries believes he is playing too much darts. His involvement in the makes his schedule particularly gruelling, playing in different tournaments every few days. The 30-year-old's form has dipped in recent weeks and he has confessed to feeling 'emotionless' on stage. He says a break could help to bring the best out of his game again.

Speaking after beating Van Duivenbode, Humphries said: "When I'm up on stage I am just feeling emotionless. It's weird and it's me being honest to all the fans. I feel like my emotions are just all over the place. It's not that I don't want to be here - it just seems a chore for me at the moment.

"It's just too much darts. I'm playing too much. I think I need a break. I'm emotionless and it is not good for my mental state.

"The emotion was drained from there. Usually I have the fight in me. Dirk, I felt like, was nervous and he gave the game away for me to get the win. He gave me the confidence to push on and get the victory. Hopefully that has given me ammunition to go and pick up another title because I am desperate for one."

Humphries won the World Masters in February but his form since has been inconsistent. The 2024 world champion initially led the Premier League leaderboard after two wins over the first four nights. He has since crashed out in three quarter-finals and was soundly beaten 6-2 by Stephen Bunting in their semi-final on night nine.

Rival , who now resoundingly leads the Premier League by six points, has also pointed out that darts players face tough schedules. The 18-year-old admitted that he does not practice between tournaments.

Littler told the Stick To Football podcast: "Some people like to practice a lot, but I barely practice during the week. I was being honest the other week in my interview about not picking up a dart from the previous tournament.

"We have the Premier League on a Thursday and usually, we're then flying somewhere on the Friday for an international tournament, so you're playing Thursday to Sunday. On Monday and Tuesday, we tend to have pro tours and then back to the Premier League on a Thursday. My practice is playing in these tournaments every week."