Cameron Menzies' encounter with Ross Smith at the Betfred World Matchplay was abruptly halted when the Scottish competitor suddenly felt light‑headed on the stage and later lost consciousness at the Winter Gardens on Wednesday evening. At the time of the incident, Menzies was leading 2‑1 in the second‑round match when he doubled over in obvious discomfort, his balance faltering and prompting immediate assistance from Smith and the tournament officials. The 37‑year‑old was swiftly escorted off the stage and received medical attention. The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) later clarified that Menzies had suffered a spike in blood pressure, which caused the dizziness and fainting spell.
After a thorough medical evaluation, doctors determined that he was stable enough to return to his hotel for further rest and monitoring. Menzies took to his social media accounts later that night to reassure supporters and express gratitude to those who had reached out.
In a Facebook post he wrote, "Thanks to everyone who's checked in and sent messages. I'm okay." He added that, regrettably, he was not in a condition to continue the match, noting that it was far from the way he wanted his World Matchplay campaign to conclude, especially after a series of strong performances that he described as some of the best darts of his career in recent weeks. He continued, "I'm grateful to the medical team for looking after me, to Ross for checking on me, and to everyone at the Winter Gardens for their support. 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." Because Menzies could not continue, the match was officially declared abandoned, allowing Ross Smith to advance to the quarter‑finals where he will meet Gerwyn Price. The PDC issued a 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." The incident sparked a wave of sympathy across the darts community. Sky Sports commentator Glen Durrant remarked, "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 tournament 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 victory he later described as "the biggest moment of my darts career." He produced a spectacular "Big Fish" checkout against the world No. 2, leaving him momentarily speechless. Reflecting on that win, Menzies said, "I don't know how to explain that victory.
I believed in my heart that I could maybe cause an upset, but I would have to play it out of my skin. I wouldn't say I played it out of my skin, but I played really well. I told myself before the game started that to beat Luke, I needed to take every chance he gave me.
It's not like Luke gives 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, and it became the best moment of my darts career." The abrupt end to Menzies' run was a disappointment for fans, but his candid update and the outpouring of support highlighted the camaraderie within the sport. While his health issue forced him out of the tournament, the episode underscored the importance of player welfare and the readiness of medical teams at major darts events.
Looking ahead, the World Matchplay continues with the defending champion Luke Littler aiming to retain his title, while other top players such as Michael van Gerwen, Ross Smith, and Gerwyn Price vie for the coveted £1 million prize fund. The tournament remains a showcase of high‑pressure darts, and fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports or stream via NOW.
Menzies' recovery will be closely watched, and many hope to see him back on the oche soon, ready to chase further milestones in his promising career.