"He was the first player that actually asked me: Are you okay?" - Cameron Menzies reveals support from James Wade after World Darts Championship meltdown

Cameron Menzies delivered a ruthless 6-0 whitewash of James Wade in the afternoon session at the 2026 Poland Darts Open, averaging just under 100 in one of the most convincing wins of the round.

In the aftermath, however, attention shifted to the conversation between the two players and the role Wade played in supporting Menzies during the difficult weeks that followed his 2026 PDC World Darts Championship meltdown.

For Menzies, the victory in Krakow was not just about progression to the last 16, but another reminder of how far he has come since that low point at the Alexandra Palace last December.

At the World Championship earlier this year, Menzies’ frustration boiled over after a shock defeat. In the immediate aftermath, he repeatedly struck the underside of the stage table, badly injuring his hand and later admitting he had “done a lot of damage”.

The injury required medical treatment and left him dealing with both physical and mental consequences. In the weeks that followed, Menzies spoke openly about struggling and wrestling with the fallout from that moment.

It was during that period that Wade stood out. “We just spoke because I done an exhibition in Twickenham in London with James, and he was the first darts player that actually asked me how I feel. Not just a fake answer, but how do you actually feel?" Menzies revealed in conversation with Tungsten Tales.

“He has his own issues, and he knows more than anybody else what life can do. He genuinely gave me a proper look in the eyes and asked me, ‘Are you okay?’" continued the Scot. “I said to him, you’re the first person that actually meant it, not just a stupid ‘are you okay’ question. He shook my hand, looked straight in my eyes and asked if everything was okay."

As such, despite being rivals on the oche, off it, Menzies has nothing but love for Wade. “I’ve got a lot of love and respect for James, honestly. I tried to give him a cuddle, but he just punched me in the chest – he doesn’t like cuddles!"

“He’s a great player and I do think he’s looking up the league," he concluded. "I think that will make him a better player again, because there’s no denying his legacy is there.”

When the two met on stage in Krakow, there was little sign of sentimentality.

Menzies averaged 99.10 in a dominant 6-0 victory, landing two 180s and finishing six of his twelve attempts at double. Wade, by contrast, struggled badly on the outer ring, missing numerous chances and ending the contest without a single 180.

A 40 checkout opened the scoring against the throw. A clinical 62 made it 3-0. A composed 120 finish pushed the lead to 5-0, before double 16 completed the whitewash.

For Wade, it was a difficult afternoon, averaging 87.45 and unable to find rhythm. For Menzies, it was a reminder that his game remains sharp despite the turbulence of recent months.

The contrast was striking.

At Ally Pally, Menzies walked off overwhelmed by frustration, physically hurt and mentally drained. In Krakow, he walked off composed, reflective and speaking openly about gratitude.

The 6-0 scoreline will grab headlines, but it is the context that makes the performance resonate. After admitting the depth of the damage he inflicted on himself in January, Menzies is now not only winning matches again, but doing so with clarity.

And as he made clear after the match, sometimes the most important support does not come from coaches or crowds, but from a fellow professional who simply asks the right question at the right time.