SMITH LOOKS AT HGV DRIVING JOBS WHEN FORM SLIPS
09/03/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
ROSS SMITH admits he starts browsing HGV driving jobs whenever his darts form takes a hit.
‘Smudger’ already has a title under his belt after winning Players Championship Six earlier this season.
But the former European Champ revealed the pressure he puts on himself can quickly spiral if things are not going his way.
Smith spent years operating lorries before making the leap to become a full-time professional player.
He said: “At the start of this year, the first couple of Players Championships and stuff like that, I thought I was rubbish to be fair.
“I was a bit nervy trying to get off to a good start and probably put too much pressure on myself.
“I’m a bit like that if I’m honest with you. I start looking up HGV jobs. I genuinely do. I’m absolutely mental with certain things.”
Smith revealed daily swims in the SEA have helped him reset mentally and improve his game at the oche.
He added: “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. I’ve probably turned into a bit of a hippie.
“Life’s short. Enjoy it. Be grateful. I’m grateful to be here and grateful for the opportunity of darts. I’m just happy in life.”
The Dover thrower suffered a first-round exit at the World Championship before crashing out in the second round of the World Masters earlier this campaign.
World No.14 Smith was dumped out in the fifth round of the UK Open after losing 10-8 to Daryl Gurney.
Smith is now looking to convert his strong form on the ProTour floor events into a deep run on the big stage.
He continued: “It’s difficult obviously, but for me it’s just about doing the best I can.
“Every tournament I enter I want to win it and I believe I can win it, otherwise why would I be here?
“I know it’s not at the levels of what Phil Taylor has done or what Michael van Gerwen has done, but I believe I can win any tournament because I have won tournaments before.
“Yeah, I love being the underdog. Who doesn’t?
“For me there’s no pressure when I’m playing Luke Humphries, Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen or someone like that.”
Image by Taylor Lanning.
