Luke Littler and Nathan Aspinall during their World Championship quarter-final (Image: Getty)
Fans will see a new side to Nathan Aspinall in 2025 – and it won’t always be a Mr Brightside. The Asp, whose walk-on to The Killers’ hit song is one of the most iconic in has turned over a new leaf for 2025.
Aspinall says there are few players he doesn’t get on with on the PDC Tour. That is clear from his friendly exchanges with rivals on stage and regular mid-match fist-bumps.
However, the 33-year-old admits he has been too nice on stage, his quarter-final defeat to at the being prime example. Given his relationship with Littler – the pair are in the same management stable along with Chris Dobey – adopting an aggressive streak against the teenager will not come natural to him. But it’s something he needs to do.
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“It is tough [playing Littler]. I pretty much get on with everyone, but I showed him too much respect that night,” admits Aspinall in interview for Reach’s
“That’s the only thing I do agree with on social media, because I got a bit of criticism for being too nice. I do agree with that and I’m going to make a conscious effort [not to be].
“I’m not just talking about playing Luke. I’m going to be playing him and Chris a lot this year. I’ve got to make sure I keep the friendships in the practice room.
“When I get on that stage, I need to show aggression. At the end of the day, I’m there for myself. You’ve seen with the [] announcement and [from players like Dave Chisnall and Mike De Decker].
Aspinall says he was “too nice against Littler at the World Championship (Image: Getty)
“People who I classed as my mates have said stuff about me. Obviously [they’re] not [mates]. They’re all out for themselves and that’s how I’m going to be this year.”
Therefore, there will be fewer of the friendly fist-bumps between legs. Aspinall adds: “Listen, if I miss three darts at 32 and someone pings 164, then I’ll say ‘fair play’, that’s the type of guy I am.
“But if a guy takes out 101 to win a set against me, I won’t be fish-bumping him, nah. It’s a bit weak of me, doing stuff like that. I have processed a lot that has happened over the last few weeks and I’ve learnt from it. There’ll be a different Nathan on the stage this year.”
Following an injury-disrupted 2024 and having battled dartitis [a psychological condition that makes it difficult for players to release the dart], Aspinall has high hopes for this year and believes his continued work behind the scenes will bear fruit.
Littler and Aspinall are set to begin their 2025 Premier League campaigns (Image: Getty)
“Everything is fine with the elbow,” he explained. “On the mental health side, I’ve got a hypnotherapist and a sports psychologist, who’ve I’ve worked with for three years.
“It’s helped me massively. The hypnotherapy is to deal with dartitis more than anything. There are still little bits of it in my game but compared to three months ago, it’s night and day.
“He’s [the hypnotherapist] been working with a few other players as well. I was a bit annoyed about that – I thought I was the only one! Seriously, it’s doing wonders for me. I’m going to continue to work dead hard behind the scenes and hopefully, this year is the best year I’ve ever had.”