Nathan Aspinall, known as ‘The Asp’ and a top-ranked darts player, has candidly admitted his deep dislike for the sport, particularly the demanding Pro Tour events. Despite his success and love for the electrifying atmosphere of televised stages, Aspinall finds practice and the grind of floor tournaments intensely boring and stressful. He openly prioritizes lucrative exhibition matches over Pro Tour appearances, a business decision he defends despite criticism from fellow professionals, citing better earnings and a personal struggle with dartitis in the Pro Tour environment. This revelation highlights a growing trend among top players to selectively choose their competitive commitments.
A Love-Hate Relationship with Darts
Nathan Aspinall, currently ranked 14th in the PDC Order of Merit, has made a surprising confession that sheds light on why he – and increasingly other top players like Luke Littler – are often absent from the Professional Darts Corporation’s demanding Pro Tour circuit. Far from a simple scheduling conflict, ‘The Asp’ has revealed a deep-seated aversion to the sport itself, at least in its less glamorous forms.
In a candid interview on the JaackMaate’s Happy Hour Podcast, Aspinall didn’t mince words about his feelings:
“Honest to God, I can’t stand it… I just don’t like darts.”
This blunt statement might shock fans, but Aspinall quickly clarified his position. His dislike isn’t for the thrilling moments under the spotlight, but for everything that happens off-stage.
- The Stage vs. The Grind: Aspinall expressed immense joy when competing on major stages, thriving on the “unbelievable buzz” of the crowd and the pressure of televised events.
- Practice is Pure Boredom: The daily grind of practice, however, is a different story. “I just can’t practice, it bores the life out of me,” he admitted, humorously adding that his dedicated practice room still has the protective clingfilm on it.
He acknowledges a genuine love for the game that first drew him in and has provided a good life, but this affection doesn’t extend to the repetitive, often solitary aspects of professional darts.
Why the Pro Tour is a No-Go
Aspinall’s strongest disdain is reserved for the Pro Tour events – the non-televised “floor tournaments” that form the backbone of the PDC ranking system. He openly stated, “But stuff like playing on the Pro Tour, I hate it, that’s why I’m pulling out of them, I don’t enjoy them.”
His reasons extend beyond mere boredom:
- Intense Pressure and Dartitis: A significant factor is his struggle with dartitis – a psychological condition causing players to freeze or jerk during their throw – which he experiences more acutely in the high-stakes, intense environment of the Pro Tour. “Playing on the Pro-Tour my dartitis comes back, I still struggle with that and I get dead nervous on the Pro-Tour, it’s too intense for me,” he explained.
- The Demands of Professional Life: The constant travel, the pressure of social media, and the sheer volume of events contribute to his overall weariness. While the stage offers exhilaration, the rest of the professional circuit takes a toll.
Business Over Rankings: The Exhibition Choice
Aspinall’s decisions to skip Pro Tours are not without consequence, or criticism. He revealed that fellow professionals often question his choices, especially when he’s simultaneously engaged in numerous exhibition matches. For example, in one week, he pulled out of Pro Tours but was scheduled for eight exhibitions.
However, Aspinall firmly defends his strategy as a “purely business decision.”
“Ultimately, I’m here to make money for me and my family, and I’m a business and the business decision is do I do eight exhibitions effectively, or go to two Pro Tours.”
Despite taking a significant ranking hit last year, falling to 14th, Aspinall explained his rationale:
“I’m going to make more money from the exhibitions than the Pro-Tours, granted it’s not ranking, but I enjoy exhibitions and I hate Pro-Tours.”
Exhibitions, while not contributing to his world ranking, offer better financial rewards and, crucially, a more enjoyable experience for Aspinall, free from the specific pressures that trigger his dartitis on the Pro Tour floor.
A Growing Trend in Professional Darts
Aspinall isn’t alone in re-evaluating his commitments. The conversation about top players’ participation in Pro Tour events is more prevalent than ever. High-profile newcomers like Luke Littler have also shown a preference for selective appearances, opting out of many floor tournaments.
This shift suggests a potential future where top darts players prioritize their well-being, financial gain, and enjoyment over a relentless pursuit of every possible ranking point. As Aspinall concluded, “You’ve got to do what is right for you.” It raises a fascinating question: could we see more darts stars follow suit, dedicating their time to other career commitments that align better with their personal and professional preferences?
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
