Aspinall admits struggle playing without fans: “I was quite glad to see the back of the tournaments”

Nathan Aspinall is one player towards the higher echelons of the PDC Order of Merit who has had no form over the past year.

But for Aspinall, this is mainly due to a lack of crowds and speaking during an interview with Darts World, he admitted it has been a real struggle.

“Pre-Covid and lockdown I probably classed myself as one of the best players in the world. I was winning Pro Tours, riding high in the Premier League. The first European I got to the semi or the quarters. I was on cloud nine,” said Aspinall to Darts World.

“Lockdown happened. I got to the Premier League final but I wasn’t enjoying it. The situation was absolutely fantastic, we couldn’t have asked for anything better as players.

“But the PDC can’t help that we’ve got to sit isolated in hotel rooms or the fact we can’t go out for a meal, no family there, no fans. I just wasn’t enjoying it.

“Funny enough I enjoyed the Summer and Winter Series more because all the lads were there and we could have a chat. It wasn’t too bad, you had company.

“Whereas the TV events you are pretty much on your own. I was struggling with it.

“Obviously the worse you play, you keep seeing negatives all the time. To be quite honest I was quite glad to see the back of the tournaments.

“But the highlight of the year was the Premier League and to make the final in the first year was a dream come true. I could have won it, Glen wasn’t very good in the final, neither was I.”