Darts star Ross Smith thanks fans after emotional win following the ‘toughest’ week

Darts star Ross Smith has opened up on his emotional triumph in the Players Championship 29 as he thanked his fans following his withdrawal from the Swiss Darts Trophy during the ‘toughest’ few days

Darts star Ross Smith has thanked his fan after his emotional Players Championship 29 triumph following the ‘toughest’ week of his life.

Smith, 36, beat Josh Rock in the final in Leicester as he made his return to the oche after withdrawing from the Swiss Darts Trophy last weekend due to family reasons.

The new world No.12 won his second Players Championship event of the year against the in-form Northern Irishman. ‘Smudger’ rallied in a mighty comeback from 6-4 and 7-5 down to beat Rock in the deciding leg with a 118 checkout.

After winning the match, Smith turned to give Rock a handshake but immediately put his head in his hands as the emotion of his victory got the better of him.

Rock put his arm around Smith, appearing to offer kind words to his opponent. The Dover-born arrowsmith then hugged Rock back, holding the 24-year-old tightly before he went to retrieve his darts.

The reason behind Smith’s absence from the European Tour event in Switzerland emerged as a family bereavement.

Taking to his social media page, Smith wrote: “Thank you to everyone for all the messages and support I’ve received the past week. I really appreciate it.

“The past few days have been the toughest I’ve ever experienced mentally on a dartboard and I was very proud to get the win yesterday. I go again today”.

Fans took to social media to laud Smith’s ability to not only play in the event, but win the tournament.

One user wrote: “The fact that he even managed to attend these events after what happened to him is amazing in and of itself but to win it? Nothing but respect for Ross Smith.”

Fellow PDC pro Ricky Evans commented: “Huge fan of Josh Rock & his whole game… But wow Ross Smith.”

Smith beat the likes of Michael van Gerwen and Wessel Nijman to reach the final. He will play Daryl Gurney in the opening round of the World Grand Prix next week.