The high-pressure world of professional darts often hides the personal battles players face behind the bright lights and roaring crowds. Ross Smith, the 37-year-old Englishman known as ‘Smudger’, has opened up about the mental toll the sport takes, revealing that he actively considers a dramatic career shift when self-doubt creeps in. Currently ranked 14th on the PDC Order of Merit and a former European champion from 2022, Smith has built a solid career on the oche, but recent inconsistencies have left him questioning his future in the game.
Smith’s candid admission came during reflections at the UK Open, an event dominated by teenage sensation Luke Littler, who claimed the title in impressive style. Amid discussions about his early-season form, Smith confessed to moments of intense pressure that push him toward drastic thoughts. “I think at the start of this year, the first few Players Championship and stuff like that, I thought I was rubbish to be fair. Bit nervy, get onto a good start and that, put too much pressure on myself,” he explained. “I’m a bit doolally like that, if I’m honest with you. I start looking up HGV jobs, I genuinely do, I’m absolutely mental with certain things.”
This isn’t just idle talk—Smith has real experience behind the wheel. Before fully committing to darts, he worked professionally as an HGV driver for around three years. He even juggled both careers for a period, enduring grueling 12-hour shifts on the lorries followed by late-night practice sessions. “I was professional for about three years. Then moved from Bolton back down to Dover and went back on the lorries, HGV driving. I was doing that for a couple of years, but then I came back and worked both jobs together,” he recalled from a past interview. “It was tough, it was 12 hour days on the lorries, new born kid at home, my son Archie. Then driving straight up from work to Barnsley or Wigan, fly here, fly there, it was really difficult and tiring but it was good.” Those days involved waking at 3 or 4 a.m., long commutes, vehicle maintenance, and heading straight to the pub board for practice until 9 p.m., only to repeat the cycle. Family support kept him going through the exhaustion, especially during lean spells when wins were scarce. “It is gruelling at times, especially when you’re not winning. The main thing is to stay positive, stay focussed,” he emphasized.
Despite flashes of brilliance—such as defeating Chris Dobey to claim Players Championship 5 in Leicester earlier this year—Smith has faced setbacks that fuel his anxieties. His ninth World Championship appearance ended in a shock first-round exit to Andreas Harryson, a match memorable not just for the result but for an unexpected wasp landing on his collar at Ally Pally. He suffered a second-round departure at the World Masters and a fifth-round loss at the UK Open, falling 10-8 to Daryl Gurney. These results have amplified the self-imposed pressure, leading to that nervous habit of browsing HGV vacancies as a potential escape route.
Yet Smith remains grounded and relatable, embracing a more laid-back lifestyle to combat the stress. He’s adopted daily sea swims and sauna sessions to reset mentally, describing himself as having “turned into a bit of a hippie.” “I’ve been swimming in the sea every day. I’ve been going into the sauna and then straight into the sea. I’m just enjoying the basic things in life now. Life’s short. Enjoy it. Be grateful,” he said. “I’m grateful to be here and grateful for the opportunity of darts. I’m just happy in life.”
This balance reflects his dual nature: a fierce competitor who believes he can triumph in any tournament—”Every tournament I enter I want to win it and I believe I can win it, otherwise why would I be here?”—and a down-to-earth guy who enjoys “going down the local boozer and having a few beers.” He thrives as the underdog, feeling no added burden against top names like Luke Humphries, Luke Littler, or Michael van Gerwen. “For me there’s no pressure when I’m playing Luke Humphries, Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen or someone like that,” he noted.
Smith’s story highlights the vulnerability beneath the sport’s glamour. Darts demands precision under intense scrutiny, and even established players like him—capable of beating the best on their day—can grapple with fears of a major downturn. His openness about researching alternative careers serves as a reminder that behind every arrow thrown is a person navigating doubt, pressure, and the search for stability. For now, he continues to compete with passion, pinching himself at the chance to face the world’s elite while staying true to his roots. Whether he stays on the oche or one day returns to the road, Smith’s honesty resonates in a sport full of highs and lows.
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