“I start looking up HGV jobs. I genuinely do.” – Ross Smith opens up on self-doubt during tough spell after major breakthrough

For Ross Smith, the 2026 season feels like a fresh start. The Englishman looks relaxed, is playing with confidence and, perhaps most importantly, appears to be enjoying his darts again.

After defeating Andrew Gilding in the fourth round of the UK Open, Smith spoke openly about his form, the mental struggles he experienced last year and how simple changes in his daily routine have helped him rediscover balance. Although his performance on one of the outer boards in Minehead was not his sharpest display, the most important thing for Smith was the result.

“I’m actually really happy with how my game is. It probably didn’t show too much on the mini stage there. I probably looked miserable or something. But at the end of the day, I’m happy with the win, so it’s all good,” he said in conversation with dartsnews.com.

Smith has started the year well and that has clearly given him confidence. Even in matches he loses, opponents often have to produce a high level to beat him. Still, the start of the year was not entirely comfortable. “At the start of this year, the first couple of Players Championships and stuff like that, I thought I was rubbish to be fair. I was a bit nervy trying to get off to a good start and probably put too much pressure on myself.”

That pressure can sometimes spiral quickly in his mind. "I’m a bit like that if I’m honest with you. I start looking up HGV jobs. I genuinely do. I’m absolutely mental with certain things.”

Smith’s career has rarely followed a straight line. Once considered one of England’s most exciting young talents, he later stepped away from the spotlight before returning to the top level. His biggest moment came when he stunned the darts world by winning the European Championship (darts) in 2022, proving he could deliver on the biggest stage.

Consistency, however, remains one of the biggest challenges. “I don’t know. I really don’t know. I just try to be myself.”

What has changed most recently is his outlook on the game. “I love coming to the darts now. I love it. I love playing against the best players in the world and sometimes I pinch myself. But I also know that on my day I can be one of the best players in the world as well.”

Despite competing at the highest level, Smith remains grounded. “At the same time, I’m also the sort of guy who loves going down the local pub and having a few beers.”

And that relaxed attitude also helps him deal with defeat. “Worst case, I’ll go back, have a couple of beers and watch the final or something.”

The closing months of last season proved difficult mentally for Smith as results dipped and confidence took a hit. According to the Englishman, it took longer than expected to shake that feeling. “Probably literally this week, weirdly.”

The turning point came through a surprisingly simple routine. “This week I’ve been swimming in the sea every day. I’ve been going into the sauna and then straight into the sea.” Those small lifestyle changes have had a major effect on his mindset. “I’m just enjoying the basic things in life now.”

Smith even joked that the experience had slightly changed his outlook. “I’ve probably turned into a bit of a hippie.” But the message behind it is serious. “Life’s short. Enjoy it. Be grateful. I’m grateful to be here and grateful for the opportunity of darts. I’m just happy in life.”

Smith has long been regarded as one of the strongest performers on the PDC’s floor events, regularly producing big averages and strong results away from the television spotlight. Replicating that level consistently on stage remains the next challenge. "It’s difficult obviously, but for me it’s just about doing the best I can.”

Even so, his belief remains strong. “Every tournament I enter I want to win it and I believe I can win it, otherwise why would I be here?”

Smith is also well aware of the extraordinary standards set by the sport’s biggest legends, including Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen. “I know it’s not at the levels of what Phil Taylor has done or what Michael van Gerwen has done, but I believe I can win any tournament because I have won tournaments before.”

At the same time, he is perfectly comfortable competing from the position of outsider. “Yeah, I love being the underdog. Who doesn’t?”

That mindset helps when facing the biggest names in the sport. “For me there’s no pressure when I’m playing Luke Humphries, Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen or someone like that.”

Smith’s clash with Gilding took place on one of the outer boards, where fans are often positioned close to the action. Despite Gilding’s popularity with the crowd, Smith enjoyed the experience. “I enjoyed it to be fair.”

Hearing the roar of the crowd while waiting backstage made quite an impression. “When you’re waiting in the back room it feels a bit brutal when everyone goes out in the early rounds. You’re sitting there thinking, ‘Bloody hell.’ It’s a bit like watching Gladiator or something when the crowd suddenly erupts.”

Ultimately, however, he felt the support was evenly split. “I don’t think it was all for Andrew or all for me, it was probably about 50/50.”

He also praised the behaviour of the fans. “They were really respectful as well. They didn’t shout when people were throwing, so it was really good.”

As for his ambitions for the rest of the tournament, Smith is keeping things simple. “You just take each game as it comes.”

Looking too far ahead rarely helps in a competition like the UK Open. “You can only play the person in front of you and beat the person in front of you. There’s no point thinking about someone three rounds ahead because they might get knocked out.”