Darts star Matt Clark has revealed that he received a stark warning to ‘rest or face dire consequences’ after being hospitalized due to a life-threatening blood clot. The 57-year-old player from Dartford was forced to withdraw from the World Seniors Tour when doctors emphasized that his life was at risk unless he made significant changes to his daily routine.
Clark, who held a PDC Tour Card from 2003 to 2017 and again from 2019 to 2022, achieved his best performance at the World Championships in 2006, advancing to the last 32 before being stopped by Phil Taylor. Following the loss of his Tour Card, he transitioned to the WDF circuit.
In a discussion about his harrowing health scare, Clark shared, “During the seniors tour, I experienced a life-threatening blood clot in a very sensitive area. Being told by a doctor that any movement could be fatal really made me reassess my priorities.”
He continued, “The doctors made it clear that I couldn’t resume work until the situation was under control, as it could lead to severe health issues like a brain haemorrhage or a heart attack.”
Clark detailed his ordeal in an interview on the Tungsten Tales podcast, revealing, “While I was participating in TV events for the seniors tour, I was undergoing hospital treatment but kept it private as I didn’t want to make excuses for my performance. I was restricted from traveling or flying at the start of the WDF season due to medical advice.”
He added, “I only returned to playing darts after being discharged from the hospital earlier this year. Although I still have some ongoing health issues, I am managing them. Unfortunately, I now have back problems, but I am coping with it using a back brace.”
Despite his health challenges, Clark has made a remarkable comeback as the No. 7 seed in the WDF World Championship and is set to compete against Francois Schweyen from Belgium in the last 16.
Notably, Clark’s achievements include winning the 1999 Canadian Open and reaching the quarter-finals of the 2008 World Matchplay, marking his best performance in a PDC major tournament. In a memorable match, he was defeated 16-12 by James Wade, who went on to reach the final but lost to ‘The Power’ in the Blackpool event.
The PDC World Darts Championship is scheduled to kick off on December 11, with fans having the opportunity to watch every match live exclusively through Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle.