January 31st 2024.
Nathan Aspinall has had quite the eventful year in the world of darts. It's been a roller-coaster ride for the talented player, filled with both ups and downs. But now, as he returns to the Premier League, he is ready to continue the journey and see where it takes him.
This prestigious league holds a special place in Aspinall's heart, as it has been the stage for both his lowest point and his greatest triumph. From winning the World Matchplay Championship, the biggest title of his career, to experiencing painful early exits and overcoming dartitis, it's safe to say that it has been quite a ride for him.
As he prepares to take on the Premier League once again, Aspinall reflects on his recent performances at the World Championship and the World Series, which were not up to his usual standard. But he is determined and excited to kick off the league in Cardiff, where he will be facing off against the home favorite, Gerwyn Price.
"It's amazing," Aspinall shared with The Agency of the Premier League. "Every kid who has ever picked up a dart dreams of playing on those stages in front of 10,000 people. It's the pinnacle of our sport."
However, he also acknowledges that it won't be an easy road. The competition is tough, especially this year, with a high standard of play. Aspinall admits that in previous years, there were one or two players that he didn't mind facing, but this year, everyone is a formidable opponent. Even Peter Wright, who has been struggling lately, is expected to find his form and pose a challenge.
Despite the challenges, Aspinall is grateful for the opportunity to play in the Premier League once again. He has had a great track record in the league, including a final and a semi-final appearance. But it was during the 2023 campaign, when he finished fifth, that he experienced some of his most memorable moments.
One of those moments was his match against Wright in Brighton, where Aspinall believes he first started struggling with dartitis. This condition, which is the inability to release the dart, can have a significant impact on a player's performance and even ruin their career. But Aspinall managed to push through and win the tournament in Rotterdam just a week later.
"I think winning in Rotterdam is certainly a highlight," Aspinall recalled. "Especially because I had a hell of a lot of troubles in Brighton the week before. I was 4-0 up and ended up losing 6-5. That was probably the start of my dartitis, that night. It was probably the lowest point of my whole darting career."
But the tables turned in Rotterdam, where Aspinall defeated some of the top players, including Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price, and Dimitri Van den Bergh, in front of a massive crowd of 17,000 people. This victory is one of his greatest achievements in darts, even surpassing his World Matchplay win.
Another highlight for Aspinall was when he walked out in Manchester, despite feeling extremely nervous and playing poorly. He couldn't stop shaking for 25 minutes, but it was an exceptional experience for him.
Amidst all the excitement and success, Aspinall also faced personal challenges that affected his performance, leading to his struggles with dartitis. He believes it was a combination of stresses in his personal life that caused him to have a "mini-breakdown" during the match against Wright in Brighton.
"I had a hell of a lot of stuff going on personally," Aspinall shared. "I won't go into that, but it was a combination of everything going on in my life at that moment that caused me to have a mini breakdown. My head completely fell off, and I started experiencing dartitis."
But with the help of a sports psychologist and the support of his loved ones, Aspinall managed to overcome this obstacle and win the Matchplay. He acknowledges that it was a tough period, with everyday life problems that anyone can relate to, but not everyone has to deal with them while trying to perform in front of a large audience.
"It was massively psychological," Aspinall explained. "I speak to a sport psychologist every couple of weeks, and he's worked wonders with me. He helped me sort out the issues I was having. Also, I was moving homes, changing areas, and my kids were switching schools. These are everyday problems, but not everyone has to face them while trying to beat Van Gerwen on stage."
Despite all the challenges, Aspinall's never-say-die attitude and determination to prove himself have helped him overcome the obstacles and achieve success in darts. He believes these are his strongest attributes, both in darts and in life.
"I want to be the best and show how good I am at whatever it is," Aspinall said. "Darts, being a dad, whatever it may be." And with that attitude, there's no doubt that Aspinall will continue to ride the roller-coaster of darts and see where it takes him.
Nathan Aspinall has certainly had a wild ride in the world of darts this year. And now, he is ready to continue on this roller-coaster journey, returning to the Premier League where he has experienced both his lowest point and his greatest triumph. The World Matchplay champion has had quite an eventful year, marked by winning the biggest title of his career, facing a series of disappointing early exits, and battling through the challenging condition known as dartitis.
As the Premier League event kicks off this week, Aspinall is determined to make his mark once again. After a disappointing loss at the World Championship and forgettable showings at the World Series, he is eager to get back into action, starting with a match against home-favorite Gerwyn Price in Cardiff. "It's absolutely amazing," Aspinall shared with The Agency of the Premier League. "Every kid who has ever picked up a dart dreams of playing on those big stages in front of 10,000 people. It's truly the pinnacle of the sport."
However, Aspinall is well aware that the Premier League is no easy feat. It's a grueling four months of tough competition and this year, the standard is simply mind-blowing. "In the past, there were always one or two players who I wouldn't mind playing against or who I thought would be an easier two points," he explained. "But this year, you can't say that. Even though Peter [Wright] has been struggling lately, I have no doubt that he will find his form in the Premier League. That's just what he does."
For Aspinall, playing in the Premier League is an incredible experience, one that he holds close to his heart. "I have a fantastic record in the Premier League and I hope to continue that this year," he shared with enthusiasm. He has made it to the final and semi-final in the past, but it was his fifth-place finish in 2023 that holds the most memorable moments for him.
Despite his success in the tournament, Aspinall recalls a particularly challenging match against Peter Wright in Brighton. "I was 4-0 up and ended up losing 6-5," he reminisced. "That was probably the start of my dartitis, that night. It was definitely the lowest point of my darting career." However, just a week later, he bounced back and achieved his greatest achievement in darts - defeating Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price, and Dimitri Van den Bergh in front of 17,000 fans in Rotterdam. "That was definitely the highlight of my career, even more so than winning the Matchplay," he added.
Dartitis, for those who may not know, is the struggle or inability to release the dart. It can be caused by a multitude of factors and can range from a minor issue to one that can ruin a player's career. Aspinall believes that his personal life was a major factor in his struggle with dartitis. "I had a lot of things going on in my personal life at the time, which I won't get into," he shared. "But it was a combination of everything that caused me to have a mini breakdown. My head was completely out of it and that's when the dartitis started."
The 32-year-old revealed that he had always struggled with a re-grip issue in his throw, but it was more than that. It was a mental battle, one that made him afraid of missing his shots. This issue persisted until the end of last year, even as he won the World Matchplay title. "I've dealt with it well, thanks to the fantastic people around me who helped me sort it out," he shared. "But now that it's gone, I'm playing rubbish!"
Aspinall emphasizes the psychological aspect of his struggle with dartitis and the impact it had on both his personal and professional life. "I speak to a sports psychologist every couple of weeks and he has really helped me," he said. "He managed to sort out the issues that I was having. Also, I was in the process of moving homes and my kids were changing schools. These are everyday problems that everyone faces, but not everyone has to face them while trying to beat Van Gerwen on a stage in front of 10,000 people. It was definitely a tough period, but I am grateful for the support and guidance that I received."
Despite his struggles, Aspinall's determination and never-say-die attitude have always been his strongest attributes. "I have always had the will to win and to prove people wrong," he shared. "And these are qualities that I carry with me in all aspects of my life, not just in darts. Whether it's being a dad or playing darts, I always strive to be the best and prove just how good I am." With this mindset, Aspinall continues to push forward, ready to take on whatever challenges come his way on this roller-coaster journey of darts.
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