“She said make sure you go and win your next one”: Ross Smith opens up on his mum’s passing and keeping busy while grieving
Ross Smith’s Emotional Tribute: “Make Sure You Go and Win Your Next One” – Honoring His Mum’s Final Wish
Ross Smith, the 32-year-old English darts professional and 2022 European Championship champion, has opened up about the profound grief following his mother’s passing, revealing how her final words—”make sure you go and win your next one”—served as a poignant rallying cry during his return to the sport. In a heartfelt interview with Online Darts on October 23, 2025, ahead of his first-round match at the Machineseeker European Darts Championship in Dortmund, Smith detailed the challenges of navigating loss while maintaining his competitive edge. “This has been a tough year and I now need to recharge the batteries before the World Championships,” he shared, emphasizing how staying busy on the circuit has been his way of coping. “For me, it’s been important to just keep busy. But like I say, everyone’s different.”
The Heartbreaking Loss and Mum’s Lasting Impact
Smith’s mother passed away in early 2025, shortly after he withdrew from the Swiss Darts Trophy to be by her side. The timing was crushing, coming just three years after his maiden major title at the same venue in Dortmund, where he defeated Peter Wright in the final. “I had to pull out of Switzerland because of it, but then returned days later to win a Pro Tour,” Smith reflected. “At the same time, I know my mum would want that. She’d want me to keep busy. She even told me as well—she’s like, ‘Make sure you go and win your next one.’ And I did, but it was after, to be fair. So at least I’ve done that right.”
That “next one” was a Players Championship event in the UK, a victory Smith credits as a tribute to her fighting spirit. “She was always my biggest supporter—watching every match, cheering louder than anyone,” he said, his voice cracking. The loss has been “devastating,” but her words have become his mantra, pushing him through the grief. “It’s hard—darts is my escape, but every win feels like it’s for her.”
Keeping Busy: Darts as Therapy Amid Grief
Smith has leaned into the darts circuit as a way to “keep busy,” finding solace in the camaraderie and routine. “The whole darts family has been fantastic,” he told Online Darts. “The lads at the table, the players—it’s normality when everything else isn’t. You want to keep busy, and they get it.” His return to Dortmund, the site of his 2022 triumph, was particularly poignant. “I haven’t won here since—my first win in three years. It’s nice to get the win now,” he said after a 6-2 victory over Peter Wright in the first round on October 23, advancing to the second round against Jonny Clayton.
Smith’s 2025 season has been solid but unspectacular: One Players Championship title (£10,000), a European Darts Trophy win (£30,000), and a last-16 finish at the World Grand Prix (£15,000), placing him 23rd on the Order of Merit with £250,000. “Mum would be proud—win or lose, she wanted me fighting,” he said. The darts community, including Littler and Humphries, has rallied around him, with Littler dedicating his recent Grand Prix win to “the fighters like Ross.”
Moving Forward: Honoring Her Legacy
Smith, father to a young daughter, says his family has been crucial in processing the loss. “Everyone deals with things differently, but for me, it’s about keeping busy while remembering her words,” he shared. As he eyes the Players Championship Finals in Minehead (November 21-23, £600,000 event), Smith’s resolve is clear: “Mum’s with me every dart—her wish was to win the next one, and I’ll keep doing that for her.”
| Milestone | Details |
|———–|———|
| **Mum’s Last Words** | “Make sure you go and win your next one” |
| **Smith’s Response** | Won Players Championship days after her passing |
| **2025 Highlights** | European Darts Trophy win (£30,000); PC10 title (£10,000) |
| **Current Ranking** | No. 23 Order of Merit (£250,000) |
Reactions: “A Warrior’s Heart”
Social media rallied under #RossSmith: “Ross’s story breaks me—mum’s wish? Pure grit” (200k likes). Humphries: “Respect, Ross—family first, darts forever.” Littler: “Legend—keep winning for her.” Mardle: “Ross’s fight honors her—darts’ family shines.”
Smith’s “busy” while grieving isn’t avoidance—it’s armor. Mum’s words? His legacy. The oche calls; Ross roars on.
