Cameron Menzies was on the verge of quitting professional darts earlier this year, going so far as to update his CV and begin a job search on LinkedIn. The 36-year-old Scot, who gave up his plumbing career two years ago to focus on darts full-time, found himself at a low point after a dramatic meltdown at the last World Championship.
World Championship Meltdown and Aftermath
At the Alexandra Palace in December, Menzies unleashed a series of uppercuts on his water table following a defeat to Charlie Manby. The outburst caused significant damage to his throwing hand, requiring surgery and keeping him out of action for six weeks. Reflecting on that period, Menzies admitted, "I was starting to think, 'Is this it for me? Am I going to have to go back to being a plumber?'"
He revealed that he had begun a new CV on LinkedIn and received several calls for supervisor roles, his previous occupation. "That's how bad it was," he said.
Recovery and Return to Form
Menzies has since made progress both mentally and physically. He returned to action earlier this year and impressed on his World Cup of Darts debut alongside Gary Anderson in June. While his hand has healed, he acknowledges it may never be perfect. "I wouldn't say it's fully healed - I don't think it will ever be fully healed - but it's a lot better than it was," Menzies explained. "It's still a bit numb-ish but not to the point where it affects me on the oche. The only thing that affects me is cold."
Doctors had estimated a six-month recovery period, and Menzies confirmed that timeframe has passed. "It feels fine, which is good on the mental side, as I was struggling to hold my dart," he added.
Hypnotherapy and Mental Game
Recognizing his struggles with composure under pressure, Menzies sought help through hypnotherapy. He credits it with improving not only his darts but also his overall life. "Massively it's helped, and not just with my mental state and darts but with life as well," he said. He noted that he previously struggled with anxiety about flying, and while he is still not a fan, he no longer gets as worked up. "It helps me deal with one problem at a time. It's something I would never have tried until this happened, but I'm really glad I did try it."
When asked if he feels calmer on stage, Menzies replied, "Sometimes, yes, but there are times when I get caught up in the moment. But I feel like I'm enjoying it and appreciating it more, because I know how easy it is to lose it all."
Looking Ahead to the World Matchplay
Menzies is eager to return to the World Matchplay in Blackpool, a venue that holds special memories for him. He made his debut there last year, but a counting error - busting on 178 by hitting a 180 while 3-0 down against Danny Noppert - contributed to a 10-2 defeat. "Hopefully I'll qualify and I'll be a lot better than last year and not make the same mistake with counting!" he said.
Blackpool is a place close to his heart, as he used to visit every September with his family. "I went with my daughter last year. It was quite a quick visit, obviously, but it was still nice and hopefully I do better than I did last year. That's the aim, to get there again and enjoy it more."
