"I've got no feeling in parts of my fingers, I've made a massive mistake": Cameron Menzies lucky to still be playing amid World Championship table punch

When Cameron Menzies punched the table during his World Championship defeat to Charlie Manby, few could have predicted the lasting impact it would have.

The outburst left Menzies requiring surgery, six to seven weeks without throwing a dart, and facing not only physical rehabilitation but deep mental scars. On Friday at the Poland Darts Open, he finally found a moment of relief.

Menzies defeated Ritchie Edhouse 6–4, firing in nine 180s and averaging 95 in what he described as arguably his best European Tour performance to date. But the result meant far more than numbers.

Reflecting on the aftermath of the World Championship incident, Menzies was brutally honest. “I’ve been struggling this year, I’ve been struggling massively,” he admitted. “I wish I knew what happened at the Worlds and stuff. I’ve done a lot of damage to myself.

“Basically, I’ve got no feeling in parts of my fingers anymore because of the damage I’ve done, so I’m struggling massively.”

The Scot underwent surgery and extensive hand treatment following the incident. “Over six weeks. I had to go through surgery. I’ve still had to go through hand treatment and trauma.

“I made a massive mistake in my life. You can see by the scar, I made a massive mistake and I have to live with that. I was lucky it’s not as bad as it could have been. I’m not proud of it, but I’m lucky I can still play.

“They operated on me and said it was severed. I had to go through a hand specialist. No words can explain what I felt at that time, waking up with a breathing tube and stuff, for a game of darts. I was stupid. I have to deal with that.”

Although he avoided permanent nerve or tendon damage, the physical effects remain. “When they operated on me, they said I was lucky that I hadn’t severed any nerves or tendons. I’ve just battered and bruised them. At the moment, I’ve got no feeling on one side of my finger, but I hold the dart on the other side, so I’m kind of lucky that way. They said it will come back.”

Still, the regret lingers. “I have to live with the rumination of being a table puncher. It’s not a proud moment in my life. We all make mistakes. Unfortunately, I made a big mistake and I have to accept it.”

Given the physical and mental toll, Menzies admitted he almost didn’t compete in Poland. “I’ll be honest, I was so close to pulling out this weekend because I’m just not enjoying it at the moment.”

Instead, he delivered one of the standout performances of the opening round, smashing nine maximums and producing a 95 average, a figure he would have taken gladly earlier in the year.

“Mate, I’ve hardly averaged over 75 this year. I’ve been struggling,” he said. “I was nervous but good up there. When I was going for a double, it was more hope than happiness.

“But as soon as that first double 20 went in, I was like, ‘I’m having one here.’ It’s so weird how darts does that.

“Arguably, average wise, that’s the best I’ve ever played on the Euro Tour. I’ve still got a long way to go, but it’s fairly good to play half decent again.”

The victory, just his second match win of the season, carried significant emotional weight. “To win a game meant a lot to me. It’s been a hard struggle.”

Before the World Championship, Menzies’ ambition was to cement himself inside the world’s top 32. Now, his goals are more immediate.

“If you’d asked me before the Worlds, I would have wanted to stay in the top 32. My aim now is just to get to the Worlds.

“I do feel like I’m struggling a bit with my hand, but it’s not just my hand, it’s more the mental side of it. When it’s not working, I focus on my hand. I’m a human being. I’ve made a mistake. It’s not easy.

“When I’m not playing well, you find excuses. I’m playing okay in practice, but practice isn’t the same as the game.”

His first dart after the incident did not come until the Milton Keynes Players Championship.

“It took me six or seven weeks to throw a dart. I don’t know how this year is going to pan out. As I said, I made a mistake and I have to accept the consequences.”

Menzies has sought help off the oche, revealing the PDPA reached out to support him. “I’m doing hypnotherapy at the moment. I’ve got a soundtrack to listen to every night and I speak to him once a week. It speaks to your subconscious.

“I never believed in this, but the PDPA put me through eight sessions with this guy. He’s worked with a few better players than me.

“I’m my own worst enemy. I get caught in my own head. It’s not a nice place to be. I beat myself up. These guys are helping me try to be better. I’m doing my best to be better.”

Menzies knows how pivotal European Tour events can be in reshaping a season. “The Euro Tours are massive. They’re hard travel. I’m lucky enough to get invited because it’s so hard to qualify.

“You could have a terrible year on the ProTour and then make a final. Look at Niko Springer, he won one and then his year changed.

“If I get to the Sunday, that year turns into a decent year. These can change your season.”

He also praised James Wade, who has enjoyed a resurgence this year.

“James Wade is James Wade, he’s brilliant. He’s won his first ProTour this year. He’s absolutely brilliant. Great player. He’s been a legend for years.”

For now, the 6–4 win over Edhouse, built on heavy scoring and timely doubling, has restored something more important than ranking points. “That today has given me a bit of love back again.”