LUKE HUMPHRIES claims top darts players “are fed up” with whistlers in the crowd who are causing havoc in the sport.
While tungsten throwers can cope to a certain degree with a smattering of boos and fans singing, it is the piercing whistles that penetrate the ears and impact performance.
Luke Humphries says players are fed up of fans whistling during matches Credit: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire
Humphries was downbeat after losing the Nordic Darts Masters final Credit: Jagow/Action Plus/Shutterstock
for the past year and will continue unless security can successfully locate the culprits and chuck them out of venues.
Cool Hand Luke, 31, was frustrated following his in the Nordic Darts Masters in Copenhagen, claiming he had been affected by one noisy Dane.
Speaking on stage in the post-final ceremony, Humphries – who beat 7-5 in a high-class semi-final – said: “It was harsh at the start. You’re getting whistled and booed.
“Boos are fine, it’s the whistling when you’re on important doubles. It’s disappointing.
“As players it really is because I’m up here to give them guys entertainment.
“When you’re stood up here, you just want to play well. People are giving you whistles on important doubles.
“I’m up here to win titles, guys. In a way, you just feel a little bit disappointed. It’s hard work in the end.
“I’m just disappointed in the early moments that people were trying to put me off. I think all the players are fed up with it now.”
Michael van Gerwen, who won the Nordic Dutch Masters, agrees with Humphries Credit: Alamy Live News.
told Humphries that the only way to solve this problem is to ignore the trolls – as hard as they might be.
Mighty Mike, 37, said: “There’s always a few guys who are a bit annoying, who’ve drunk too much, but that’s the way it is.
“You need to take it and don’t give them too much energy. Because if you give them any joy, they’re going to keep doing it.
“Darts is getting bigger and bigger all the time. And then you also have people like that, unfortunately.
“Don’t give them any attention. Then they will stop. Then they don’t enjoy the moment.
“That’s the only thing I can imagine. That’s the only thing I can think of.
Van Gerwen – who will now don an Orange top for Holland for this week’s – was annoyed with his 6-5 quarter-final win over Swede Viktor Tingström in which he averaged just 86.12.
The three-time world champion, who celebrated an 18 World Series of Darts trophy, said: “I was gutted. I was disappointed. I was sitting in the corner. I was thinking to myself: ‘What the f*** am I doing?’
MVG says darts players need to ignore the trolls during games Credit: Alamy Live News.
“And you need to try to take the most of it. Because the tournament is not over. And you need to keep believing in your own ability.
“That’s what I’m always doing. But sometimes it’s hard. And the moment is there to turn things around. It always gives you joy.
“Winning the best medicine towards the next games. You want to show everyone what you’re capable of.
“More importantly for me, for myself, for my game, I was able to bounce back, even when things are not going great.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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