Grand Slam of Darts: Cameron Menzies opens up on mindset after rollercoaster win over James Wade Trending Global News

It’s fair to say that Cameron Menzies has had a bumpy 48 hours at the Grand Slam of Darts, which has seen him book his place in the quarter-finals.

After dominating Beau Greaves in a 5–1 group defeat, Menzies believed he was out of the running and left WV Active Elderslie in a self-confessed “huff”, only On the way home it was revealed that Danny Noppert’s 5–2 win over Martin Schindler had secured him a place in the last 16.

Then, with a knockout opportunity waiting in the wings against James Wade, Wade was moving into the fight.

Not only did Menzies have to wait that long, but on paper, he worked as a plumber until 1.30 in the afternoon in Milton Keynes before flying back to Wolverhampton for the biggest match of his life.

He then defeated Wade in a last-leg clutch decider and fell to his knees in relief and once he won, he admitted that his mentality was something he needed to work on moving forward. And he may consider seeking help from a sports psychologist.

“Obviously I’m keen to win it but I think it was a bit of a slug fest,” Menzies said.

“I just stayed on stage (in the breaks) because it wasn’t happening for me that I had never done it before.

“Those last two legs I was shaking like a leaf, I’d never been that nervous in a long time.

“That was bad. I bottled it, but I got a little lucky.

“I didn’t believe I should be in, I thought I should be out.

“I left here and I wasn’t in a good place. I was angry, I was angry at myself, I got too emotionally involved but if you look closely at me, that’s my weak point.

“So, I’m going to see a sports psychologist or something because my mentality isn’t stable in that area of the woods.

“I came out here thinking I was out, then I got the call saying I was in there – I can’t explain it. From being so nervous to being so happy, it’s a strange feeling.

“It felt like the emotions were so high and low. I don’t really know how to explain such highs and such lows. It was a little mental, to be honest.”

Part-timer Menzies will now play fellow part-timer Mickey Mansell in the quarter-finals, who the Scotsman believes is playing “the best darts of his life”.

“He’s just like me, we punch above our weight,” he said.

“I was very lucky to be successful but Mikey deserved it. I think Mikey is playing the best darts I have seen him.

“He beat the guy who was sensational in my group, Danny Noppert.

“Every day is different, darts are a silly old game that way.

“I punch above my weight so everything is a free-hit now.”

what is next?

The tournament continues with the last 16 on Thursday 14 November, Live on Sky Sports from 7pm.

Luke Littler will now face Mike De Decker as Dimitri Van den Berg plays Jermaine Votimena in the knockout stages. This means Ryan Joyce faces Gian Van Veen, while Gary Anderson faces Stephen Bunting.