Darts professional Matt Clark has shared that he received a serious warning of ‘rest or die’ after being hospitalized due to a life-threatening blood clot. The 57-year-old player from Dartford had to step away from the World Seniors Tour as doctors emphasized the need for significant changes in his daily routine to save his life.
Clark, who held a PDC Tour Card from 2003 to 2017 and from 2019 to 2022, achieved his best performance at the World Championships in 2006, reaching the last 32 before being stopped by Phil Taylor. Following the loss of his Tour Card, he transitioned to the WDF.
In a discussion about his frightening health scare, Clark revealed, “During the seniors tour, I experienced a life-threatening blood clot in a very uncomfortable location.”
He further explained, “The doctors made it clear that I couldn’t work. If the situation wasn’t managed properly, I was at risk of a brain haemorrhage or a heart attack.”
Clark shared details of his ordeal during an appearance on the Tungsten Tales podcast, mentioning, “While I qualified for TV events on the seniors tour, I was undergoing hospital treatment.”
He continued, “At the start of the WDF season, I was under strict hospital care and restricted from traveling or flying. I only resumed playing after being discharged from the hospital in February this year. Although I am still dealing with some issues, it’s just a matter of time. Unfortunately, my back is now problematic, but I am managing with a back brace.”
Despite his health challenges, Clark has made a remarkable comeback as the No. 7 seed at the WDF World Championship and is set to compete against Belgium’s Francois Schweyen in the last 16.
Clark’s achievements include winning the 1999 Canadian Open and reaching the quarter-final of the 2008 World Matchplay, marking his best performance at a PDC major tournament.
In a notable match, Clark was defeated 16-12 by James Wade, who later advanced to the final but was bested by ‘The Power’ in the Blackpool showdown.
The PDC World Darts Championship is scheduled to begin on December 11, with fans able to watch all matches live exclusively on Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle.