Cameron Menzies' encounter with Ross Smith at the Betfred World Matchplay was abruptly stopped when the 37‑year‑old Scot began to feel light‑headed onstage and eventually lost consciousness at the Winter Gardens on Wednesday evening. At the time the second‑round contest was tied at 2‑1 in Menzies' favour, he suddenly doubled over, swayed on his feet and required assistance from Smith and the officials.
Medical personnel quickly escorted him off the oche, and the Professional Darts Corporation later disclosed that Menzies had suffered a spike in blood pressure. After a thorough check‑up, doctors deemed him fit enough to return to his hotel. Menzies took to his Facebook page later that night to reassure supporters and thank those who had reached out.
"Thanks to everyone who's checked in and sent messages. I'm okay," he wrote. He went on to explain that his condition prevented him from continuing the match, adding, "It’s obviously not how I wanted my World Matchplay to end, especially after playing some of the best darts of my career over the last few weeks." He expressed gratitude toward the medical team, Ross Smith for his concern, and the staff at the Winter Gardens for their assistance.
"A big good luck to Ross for the rest of the tournament. I wish him all the best.
Hopefully I'll be back doing what I love very soon. Thanks again for all your support, it really does mean a lot," he concluded. The abandonment of the bout meant that Smith advanced automatically to the quarter‑finals, where he will meet Gerwyn Price. The PDC issued an official statement confirming the circumstances: "Cameron Menzies was taken ill during his round two match against Ross Smith at the Betfred World Matchplay on Wednesday evening.
Cameron experienced high blood pressure, which caused him to feel dizzy and subsequently faint. Following an assessment by the on‑site medical team, Cameron was deemed well enough to return to his accommodation. We wish Cameron all the best and look forward to seeing him back in action soon." Commentators highlighted the impact of the incident on the tournament.
Sky Sports' Glen Durrant said, "I echo the thoughts of everybody; right now, it's all about Cameron Menzies. He's in tip‑top form at the moment. It's a real tough one to take." After a brief intermission, the schedule resumed with Gian van Veen facing Wessel Nijman. Menzies had earned his place in the second round by defeating the 2024 champion Luke Humphries 10‑7, a triumph he described as "the biggest moment of my darts career." He produced a spectacular Big Fish checkout to overcome the world number two, and was left speechless by the achievement.
"I don't know how to explain that victory. I did believe in my heart that I could maybe cause an upset but I would have to play it out of my skin," he reflected afterwards. "I wouldn't say I played it out of my skin, but I played really well. I did say before the game started, to beat Luke, I need to take every chance that he gives me.
It's not like Luke to give a lot of chances away, but obviously I'm going to take it. A lot went in. I was happy.
I stole a few legs to win, but it's made the best moment of my darts career." The unexpected health scare has sparked conversation about player welfare in high‑pressure environments. Darts, while not as physically demanding as some contact sports, still places considerable strain on the cardiovascular system due to the intense concentration, adrenaline surges and irregular schedules.
Experts advise competitors to monitor blood pressure, stay hydrated, and maintain a balanced diet, especially during multi‑day tournaments where sleep patterns can be disrupted. Looking ahead, the World Matchplay will continue without Menzies, but fans remain hopeful for his swift return. The defending champion, Luke Littler, is poised to defend his title, and the tournament promises more drama as the remaining field battles for the £1 million prize fund. Viewers can catch all the action on Sky Sports or stream via the NOW platform.
In summary, Cameron Menzies' sudden illness forced the abandonment of his match against Ross Smith, leading to Smith's progression to the quarter‑finals. The PDC confirmed that Menzies suffered a bout of high blood pressure, received on‑site medical care, and was released to his accommodation after being cleared. Menzies expressed heartfelt thanks to supporters, his opponent, and the event staff, and indicated his intention to return to competition as soon as possible.
The incident underscores the importance of health monitoring in professional darts and adds an unexpected twist to an otherwise thrilling tournament narrative.