LUKE HUMPHRIES has admitted his mind has been elsewhere this week after he crashed out of the Grand Slam of Darts.
The reigning champion failed to make it out of the group stage at the tournament in Wolverhampton.
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Humphries finished third in Group A with two losses from his three matches.
The 29-year-old thrashed Michael Mansell 5-1 in his final group game on Monday night.
But he won’t be defending the title he won in style just 12 months ago, with Mansell and James Wade advancing to the knockout stage.
World No. 1 Humphries took to social media following Sunday night’s loss to Wade, revealing his son Rowan had been unwell.
Cool Hand gave a further update on Monday, admitting it had not been an easy few days.
Humphries told SunSport: “My mind hasn’t been on darts this week, unfortunately.
“Although it’s been playing on my mind you can’t use that as too much of an excuse.”
Humphries has enjoyed a stunning 2024, winning the World Championship and the World Matchplay.
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He added: “If my son had gone into hospital I wouldn’t have been here, that’s for sure. I’d have pulled out.
“There’s no doubt about that. He’s slowly but surely getting better. He’s not getting worse.
Luke Humphries and Stephen Bunting hint at career after darts with incredible double act that’s ‘available for weddings’
“I was at an exhibition on Thursday and had to rush home because he really wasn’t well.
“He didn’t have to go into hospital which is the most important thing.
“He’s the most important thing. I’m glad he’s getting better.”
Inside Littler’s massive rise
LUKE LITTLER has taken the darts world by storm since exploding onto the scene at the PDC World Championship at the beginning of the year.
With Humphries out of the running, teenage sensation Luke Littler is the new favourite to lift the Grand Slam crown.
Littler has already booked his place in the knockout stage after two thumping wins in Group F.
The 17-year-old thrashed Keane Barry in his opening match with an outrageous average of 112.16.
