Noa-Lynn van Leuven will become the first transgender player to compete in a PDC major when she faces Michael van Gerwen at the Grand Slam of Darts.
Luke Humphries has urged critics to let Noa-Lynn van Leuven “get on with it and play” as she prepares for her debut at the Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts.
Van Leuven is set to make history as the first transgender competitor to take on the men in a major darts tournament, 19 years after Deta Hedman became the first woman to beat a male opponent on TV.
Tonight, in an all-Dutch showdown at VW Active Aldersley, Van Leuven will face three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen in a group that also includes Gary Anderson and Ryan Joyce.
World No. 1 Humphries, who begins his defence of the Grand Slam crown against Austrian World Cup runner-up Rowby-John Rodriguez, said: “I think she will enjoy – that group is a great challenge for her. She will enjoy the chance to play two of the greatest players that have ever been, Michael and Gary.
“I don’t know Noa-Lynn very well, to be honest – I’ve only met her once before at the Women’s World Matchplay, on the day I was in the final.