Luke Humphries has revealed that he came close to pulling out of the Grand Slam of Darts due to a severe back and shoulder problem — but managed to push through the pain to reach the quarter-finals.
The world No. 1 said he woke up on Wednesday barely able to lift his head off the pillow because of what he believed was a back spasm. “For about 15 minutes, I couldn’t pick my head up,” he told Sky Sports. “I honestly thought I’d have to withdraw today — my back and shoulder were in terrible shape.”
Humphries credited his physio, Mandy, for spending three hours massaging and treating him before the match, helping him get fit enough to play. “She’s been incredible — without her, I wouldn’t have been able to compete,” he said.
Despite the pain, the reigning champion delivered a dominant 10–3 win over Jurjen van der Velde, attributing his performance to sheer determination and adrenaline.
“I think the adrenaline got me through,” Humphries added. “From almost pulling out this morning to playing like that — it’s something special. I’m a fighter, and sometimes I surprise even myself.”
He noted that he’d been dealing with a sore neck for several days, but the pain suddenly worsened before the match. “When I sat up, the pain shooting across my shoulder was crippling,” he said.
