An emotional Callan Rydz broke down in tears after winning his second round encounter at the PDC World Darts Championship.
The two-time quarter-finalist beat Daryl Gurney 3-2 on Tuesday, with the match going to a thrilling final-set decider.
The pair exchanged a warm embrace afterwards before Rydz became overcome with emotion in his post-match interview.
He told Sky Sports that Gurney had messaged him in support before their meeting, with Rydz struggling to deal with being far from home with his grandfather seriously unwell.
He said: “Daryl has been one of the only lads who knows what has been going on back home with my grandad. He has been messaging me, asking if I'm okay. I am getting emotional thinking about it. I don't know what to say.
“My head is all over the place but Ally Pally is the best place to play.”
Later he opened up more about the situation, telling reporters how much his family provide the driving force for his career. He said: “I wear my heart on my sleeve. I’m struggling. It’s hard when you have stuff going on back home. I came here to try and forget about it but it’s hard. I play for my family.
“I’ve got a job to do and, thankfully, I got through. I have too much stuff going on back home. I hear the crowd sing my name and I smile. But I wish I was home.”
The world No 42 has previously spoken about his grandfather being an “inspiration” and suggested he may retire from the sport after he passes, adding: “We are preparing for this to be the last Christmas. I will go home now, see how the big man is. Listen once he goes, I will probably consider packing in, probably. But I don’t know. I have a decision if I want to keep doing it.
“I play for my family. My grandma, granddad, my mum, they got us into darts. Everything I do is for them.”
His next match will come after the Christmas break, against either Josh Rock or Joe Comito.
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