Nathan Aspinall admits he’s been “s***e” ahead of his PDC World Championship title tilt.
The Stockport slinger won the World Matchplay last year and was amongst the elite. However, injuries halted Aspinall’s momentum and left him toiling. The 33-year-old was ready for packing it in as he struggled and shed tears as the issues built including dartitis.
Aspinall meets Leonard Gates in the tonight and said: “I was open and honest about it, I’ve tried to hide it for the last 18 months, two years, but I think it was important for people to understand what I’ve been through. I will overcome it and give hope to anyone else that’s going through something similar.” Aspinall broke in Brighton and continued: “I think what it was is I’ve just come back from a wrist injury and I just started playing well. I was in the toilet, smashing the hand dryer and I’m crying and going: Just give me a break.
“I mean, I’ve had back injuries, I’ve had wrist injuries, I’ve just about started playing well and then this. Just gimme a break, let me play darts for like more than three months without something happening.
“It’s been tough, but I won the MatchPlay with it. It’s been a tough 12 months, but I feel there’s a very bright light and the end of that tunnel. I’m just looking to get back knowing how good I am. I’m the first to admit this year I’ve been absolutely s***e from start to finish. I’ve not been performing well. My finishing has been horrendous.
“I’ve not been past the third round since I got to the semi-final four years ago, but I do think this is gonna be the year that I’m gonna have a good one. I feel this is the first year in a few years that I feel ready for this tournament.”
Speaking to Online Darts, he added: “I feel so good. I think this is gonna be a good year and I really do. End of day, I need to.
“I’m defending the Match Play next year, I’m not stupid, I know where I can go to in the rankings, I know my position up in there, the Premier League, in the World Series and scrutiny but that’s when I do well, when my back’s against the wall, that’s when I produce my best stuff. When I’m under the most immense pressure, that’s normally when I come good.”
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