'You probably saw me standing there taking deep breaths' - Cameron Menzies overcomes pre-match nerves to clinch maiden World Grand Prix win

Pre-match nerves

Menzies revealed that he was feeling the nerves before walking out on stage, citing a more positive mindset when at the oche, thinking of where he has come from.

"Well, that dart at bull to win it – I could’ve buggered that leg a whole heap, because I was away in front," he said. "But I could see the finishing line because Dobey didn’t kick off that leg, and I was thinking back to last year when I was sitting there in the corner gutted about how bad I played. This time, I was thinking of that moment and how far I’ve come. Then I had three terrible scores in a row because I could see the finish line again. So to win is amazing. It’s not about the money – it’s about finally performing on this stage. I don’t think that was a great game, I think I just played alright, but I get a lot of abuse online and stuff. I’ve not performed well on TV, and it’s something I’ve struggled with. I was nervous, but I’ve tried to deal with it – taking deep breaths and staying calm. You probably saw me standing there taking deep breaths. It doesn’t always work, but I’m trying."

A big part of this was due to his sports psychologist he has been seeing. Menzies has been known to wear his heart on his sleeve on stage, collapsing when something goes wrong. The improvement in mentality and composure has seen him taking lengthier strides in the sport.

"I actually did that last year. He doesn’t really call himself a sports psychologist – he does more with golf and life coaching," Menzies said, "He’s an ex-policeman. It’s more about positivity in life, not just darts or sport. He always says, focus on the double, and try to stay positive. I don’t always listen, but it’s helped me a lot. Sometimes when I’m not playing well, I take a step back, because I’m quite fast when I throw, and I just try to visualise the double going in. Instead of thinking, I hope this goes in, I try to think, this is going in. It doesn’t always work, but when it does, it’s great. These games can be decided by one or two darts at a double, so having that positive mindset really helps."

Despite going through to round two, Cammy stated that the nerves will still be there, but the pressure will not be. "I’ll still be nervous, but there’s definitely less pressure now," he said. "Last year I didn’t win a leg – that was my worst fear, and it hurt massively. I didn’t want to get grannyed, but it happened. I always said, the only way is up. So when I won the first leg today, I thought, I’ve already done better than last year. Of course I want to keep winning – who doesn’t? But I think there’ll be less pressure now because I finally won a game on the stage. I’ve not really performed on TV before, and that’s something I’m trying to sort."

Online abuse

The Scot has previously mentioned the torrid periods he would have on social media, engaging in negative and abusive hate directed at him. As time has gone on, he has learnt to step away, going to lengthy measures to avoid it after a defeat.

"I’m getting used to it now. When I first got my tour card in Stockport, it was horrible – I really struggled with it. Now I just delete it. Sometimes I delete the app for a few days. If I’ve had a stinker at the World Series or last year at the Grand Prix, I just delete it for a few weeks. The worst thing is people tag you in it – why tag me in abuse? I don’t want to see that. Even last week I got abuse when Nijman beat me behind closed doors. It’s horrible. That’s the only bad thing about social media. I’ve learned just to block them. Years ago, I’d respond to stuff and ask for their address – just because it annoyed me. But nowadays I just block and delete it. Sometimes I delete social media for a couple of days, and it’s great – go out for a walk, no social media. It’s refreshing."