Darts star Cameron Menzies has received some stark advice from fellow professional Peter Wright after a moment of fury saw him injure his hand at the PDC World Darts Championship.
A Devastating Defeat and a Painful Reaction
The 36-year-old Scot was left heartbroken after a dramatic 3-2 first-round defeat to debutant Charlie Manby at Alexandra Palace. Manby, a 20-year-old bricklayer by trade, secured a memorable victory in a tense match where the crowd heavily backed the underdog.
Following the final dart, a frustrated Menzies struck the underside of his table three times, an action that caused his hand to split open. This marked the second consecutive year Menzies has suffered a painful first-round exit at the tournament, having been reduced to tears after losing in 2024.
Wright's Four-Word Verdict
Peter Wright, who progressed to the next round with a straight-sets win over Noa-Lynn van Leuven, was asked for his thoughts on his compatriot's outburst. He offered a succinct piece of guidance for his friend.
"Yeah, do it backstage," was Wright's immediate four-word response. He elaborated with supportive words, stating, "Cammy is an awesome darts player. He believed in his ability and his game to win this tournament... I can't explain his reaction, but you feel disappointed in yourself when you miss shots. That's the hardest thing."
Apology and Underlying Grief
Menzies later issued a heartfelt public apology for his conduct. He revealed he has been dealing with significant personal grief, explaining that his uncle, Gary, passed away just before the tournament began.
In an emotional statement, Menzies wrote, "It's not an excuse, but I have had a lot of things on my mind recently and I suppose it all just became too much at the end." He added that had he won, his second-round match would have fallen on the day of his uncle's funeral, a fact that had weighed heavily on him.
Official Review and Player Welfare
The incident has not gone unnoticed by the sport's governing body. Matt Porter, the PDC chief executive, confirmed that the matter will be reviewed by the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA).
"I spoke with Cameron and his management before he left the venue, and he knows there is support available from the PDC and the PDPA," Porter stated. "Any incident of this nature is reported to the Darts Regulation Authority for review, but our main priority is the player's health and wellbeing."
The focus now shifts to Menzies' recovery, both physical and emotional, after a tumultuous start to the 2025 World Championship.
