Darts star Nathan Aspinall, known as ‘The Asp’, is facing a crucial decision about his season. Despite his talent, he has played very few Players Championship events this year and is currently far from qualifying for the prestigious Minehead finals. Aspinall has openly hinted that he might not pursue qualification, citing a challenging year filled with professional setbacks and personal family issues. However, he reassures fans that his passion for darts remains strong, with plans to fully commit to the sport after his upcoming wedding and honeymoon. His performance at the World Matchplay could still influence his final decision.
A Quiet Season for ‘The Asp’
This year has seen surprisingly few appearances from Nathan Aspinall in the Players Championship events. Out of the 24 floor tournaments held so far, the 34-year-old has participated in only six. Three of these were the very first events of the season, meaning he has played just two additional tournaments since Players Championship eight concluded back in late March.
Performance Overview: A Mixed Bag
Aspinall’s season started with a promising highlight: he reached the final of the very first event, narrowly losing to James Wade in a thrilling match. However, this early success wasn’t a sign of things to come. In his other appearances, ‘The Asp’ has struggled to make a significant impact, only reaching the last 32 on two occasions. These results, combined with his limited play, reflect ongoing challenges, including “throw struggles” that have affected his game periodically over the past couple of years.
Minehead Qualification: A Distant Dream?
His current standing in the race to qualify for the Players Championship Finals in Minehead paints a clear picture of his struggles. Aspinall is positioned 86th, more than £5,000 behind Brendan Dolan, who currently holds the 64th spot – the cut-off for qualification. While Aspinall, a multiple Players Championship title winner, undoubtedly possesses the skill to close this gap, his recent comments suggest he may not even try.
A Candid Confession: “Unsure If I’m Going to Play Anymore”
In a recent interview, Aspinall revealed his internal conflict:
- “I made a decision at the start of the year to give it a go and if it didn’t go well probably not play it and I’m still unsure if I’m going to play anymore Pro Tours,” he admitted.
- He continued, “Which obviously means I won’t be in Minehead, but there’s been going a lot going on this year for me, a lot of setbacks like the Premier League and the World Series and a lot of family issues.”
This suggests a year filled with personal and professional pressures that have taken a toll, making it difficult for him to fully commit to the demanding Pro Tour circuit.
Love for Darts Remains Strong
Despite his apparent lack of intention to chase a Minehead spot, Aspinall was quick to reassure his dedicated fanbase that his passion for darts is unwavering. He outlined his immediate plans:
- “For me now it’s do the best at the Matchplay,” he stated, highlighting his focus on the upcoming major tournament.
- Following that, he has significant personal milestones: “get married, go on my honeymoon.”
- And then, a promise to his fans: “as soon as my honeymoon is done, darts is the number one priority.” This indicates a clear intention to fully rededicate himself to the sport once personal commitments are fulfilled.
A Shared Sentiment with Luke Littler
Interestingly, Nathan Aspinall isn’t alone in openly considering a reduced schedule or potentially missing the Players Championship Finals. He joins the young sensation Luke Littler, who has also hinted at a similar approach. For both players, their performances at the upcoming World Matchplay could be a pivotal factor, potentially influencing whether they decide to push for Minehead qualification after all. The prestigious nature of the Matchplay and its significant prize money could reignite their competitive drive and alter their season plans.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
