Darts star Nathan Aspinall, known for his openness about the mental throwing condition ‘dartitis,’ faced a challenging return of his struggles during a recent quarter-final loss in Leverkusen. Despite a strong start to the tournament, Aspinall’s issues with his throw became evident, culminating in a defeat where his finishing faltered. As he heads into the prestigious World Matchplay this weekend, Aspinall is once again tasked with overcoming these mental hurdles on one of darts’ biggest stages.
The Shadow of ‘Dartitis’ Looms Large
‘Dartitis’ is a perplexing mental condition that has affected some of the world’s best darts players for decades. It severely impacts a player’s ability to smoothly release the dart, often for reasons they cannot pinpoint, crippling their performance and confidence.
Nathan Aspinall, affectionately known as ‘The Asp,’ has been remarkably vocal about his own struggles with dartitis. He has shared his personal journey on major podcasts, TV broadcasts, and social media, becoming a significant advocate and support system for other players facing similar challenges, including Scott Williams and Ricardo Pietreczko.
A Rollercoaster in Leverkusen
Aspinall’s recent weekend in Leverkusen started on a high note, but quickly turned into a familiar battle:
- Dominant Opening: He kicked off his campaign with a comfortable 6-1 victory over Mickey Mansell, boasting an exceptional average of 107.23 – the highest of the entire weekend.
- Subtle Signs of Trouble: While he secured a convincing 6-4 win against Ross Smith, it was in this match that the tell-tale signs of his throwing issues began to reappear. Spectators noticed him re-gripping his darts, stepping back from the oche, and engaging in self-talk, clear indicators of his struggle.
- Quarter-Final Setback: These struggles became painfully obvious in the quarter-final against eventual champion Krzysztof Ratajski. Aspinall had numerous opportunities but ultimately fell 6-4. His average plummeted to just 89.87. While his scoring remained respectable with four maximums, his finishing was disastrous, hitting only four out of seventeen attempts on the doubles.
Aspinall’s Honest Admission
Following his exit from the tournament, Aspinall candidly shared his feelings on Instagram:
“That is not fun. Wow that was hot, struggling with the throw but we will get through it as always.”
This isn’t Aspinall’s first encounter with this dreaded battle. Since first admitting to the issues in 2023, the darting star has shown immense resilience, picking up multiple PDC titles. However, a major tournament victory has eluded him since then, highlighting the persistent challenge of dartitis.
The Ultimate Test: Winter Gardens Awaits
This weekend, ‘The Asp’ returns to the iconic Winter Gardens stage, a venue holding special significance for him. It was here, in 2023, that he claimed his second and most recent major title with a dominant 18-6 win over Jonny Clayton.
The upcoming World Matchplay presents an immediate and formidable test. Aspinall is set to face his good friend Joe Cullen in the opening round, with the winner potentially going on to meet darts sensation Luke Littler or Niko Springer in the next stage.
While Nathan Aspinall has a proven track record of overcoming harrowing mental struggles on the oche, the pressure is on. He will need to quickly find his rhythm and confidence as one of the sport’s biggest events begins, requiring him to conquer his inner demons when it matters most.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
