"All day I've been throwing up, I've been so nervous": Aspinall admits pre match nerves before ruthless World Matchplay win

Nathan Aspinall produced one of the most dominant major final wins seen in a long time seeing off Jonny Clayton 18-6 at the World Matchplay albeit given how he felt pre-match, it was a completely different feeling.

Aspinall won 10 legs in a row from 5-5 en route to winning the title, he is now up to a career high World No.5 and all after a 15 months which nearly saw him give up due to wrist injuries and dartitis fears.

Speaking afterwards, he said he was throwing up pre match he was that nervous, but that key shots at key times helped settle him down.

Read also

Aspinall ends major title wait in ruthless win over Clayton in 2023 World Matchplay Final

"At the start, I was bricking it. I'm not going to lie. I was so nervous," said Aspinall.

"All day I've been throwing up I've been so nervous. I got up there and maybe that's why I was so poor first 10 legs.

"But then I hit that 180 and it settled me so much. To get the kids on stage, that's all I've wanted to do all weekend especially Milly, she's only 5, she's like I want to get on stage and get a picture with you. They've been great all week and I'm just so happy for me and my family."

Read also

Prize money breakdown World Matchplay 2023 with £800,000 on offer

He also spoke of a white lie he told Michael Smith, his friend and current World Number One keeping a set of his flights as motivation and also now has his sights set on World Number One as well as the World Cup team next year.

"I said before I've got Smithy's flights in my darts case. I lied to him when he gave them to me and said they're for my kids.

"Keep them in my darts case for motivation, if he can be World Champion and World Number One, I don't believe I can't. I've got pictures of my kids there and Smithy's flights, it might be sad but I use stuff like that as inspiration.

"This is a step in the right direction, I think he's sat at home happy for me like I was when he won the World's. Imagine me and him next year in the World Cup team. That's something I really want to do. Roll on New Zealand at the weekend."