Darts star Matt Clark has shared that he received a chilling warning of ‘rest or die’ after being hospitalized with a severe blood clot. The 57-year-old player from Dartford had to step away from the World Seniors Tour due to doctors cautioning that his life was at risk unless he made significant changes to his daily routine.
Having held a PDC Tour Card from 2003 to 2017 and again from 2019 to 2022, Clark’s most notable performance at the World Championships was reaching the last 32 in 2006 before being stopped by Phil Taylor. Following the loss of his Tour Card, he transitioned to the WDF circuit.
Recounting his harrowing health scare, Clark revealed, “During the seniors tour, I had a life-threatening blood clot in a very delicate area. When a doctor tells you, ‘If that moves, you’re dead,’ it truly alters your perspective on life.”
He went on to describe his struggles during an appearance on the Tungsten Tales podcast, sharing, “I was undergoing hospital treatment during the TV events I qualified for in the seniors tour. I kept it quiet, as you can’t use it as an excuse. It was dismissed as a leg issue at the time. Let’s go with that.”
Despite facing ongoing health challenges, Clark has made a remarkable comeback, now seeded No. 7 at the WDF World Championship, where he is set to compete against Francois Schweyen in the last 16. Known for his victory at the 1999 Canadian Open and a quarter-final appearance at the 2008 World Matchplay, Clark has proven his resilience in the face of adversity.
Fans eagerly anticipate the start of the PDC World Darts Championship on December 11, with exclusive live coverage available through Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle.