Cameron Menzies has detailed an emotional exchange he had with James Wade after beating him 6-0 in the last 32 of the Poland Darts Open.
Menzies, who is ranked at world number 29, is competing in his first televised event since the 2026 World Darts Championship in Krakow.
The Scot repeatedly punched his drinks table after losing to Charlie Manby in round one at Alexandra Palace, with blood seen to be pouring from his hand as he left the stage.
Menzies revealed on Friday that he 'basically [had] no feeling in my fingers anymore' as a result of the incident, adding that he 'made a massive mistake in my life'.
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"You can see the scar," he said. "I have to live with that."
Menzies only won one match across the first four Players Championship events of 2026, and also failed to qualify for the World Masters.
But his 6-4 first round win over Richie Edhouse in Poland set up a last 32 clash against 2025 UK Open and Grand Slam finalist Wade - and the Scot managed to produce a top-class display.
Menzies averaged 99 against 'The Machine' in his whitewash win, and had a 50 per cent success rate on the doubles.
It was a result that has gone down extremely well with darts fans given the Scot's recent struggles - particularly as he managed to do it against Wade, who has been in superb form at the start of 2026.
The pair shared an exchange on-stage after Menzies hit the winning double, though it wasn't clear what the pair said to each other.
Menzies cleared that up in his post-match interview - and revealed a previous exchange he had with Wade during an exhibition earlier this year.
"We just spoke because I'd done an exhibition in Twickenham with James," he told reporters (via Oche180).
"And he was the first darts player that actually asked me, 'How do you feel?'. He said, 'I don't want your fake answers. How do you feel?'
"Obviously - and hopefully he doesn't mind me saying this - he has his own issues, and he knows, more than anybody else, what life can do.
"He gave me a proper look in the eyes and asked me the question, 'Mate, are you okay?'
"And I said to him, 'You're the first person to have genuinely meant it'. Not just the 'Are you okay' questions. He genuinely spoke to me, shook my hand, looked straight in my eyes, and went, 'Is everything okay?' So I told him.
"I have a lot of respect for James. I tried to give him a cuddle [after the win in Poland], and he just punched me in the ribs. He doesn't like cuddles!
"He's a great darts player, and I do think he's unlucky not to be in the Premier League. That will make him a better player again, because there's no denying that his legacy is there for a reason."
Menzies will face Wessel Nijman in round three after the Dutchman defeated Gary Anderson 6-2 earlier on Saturday.
Topics: Darts
Ryan Smart