Aspinall speaks on his successful return to darts : "I love this game"

The World Grand Prix runner up Nathan Aspinall has been speaking to 'The Weekly Dartscast' this week following up from his final loss against Michael Van Gerwen. The English man spoke about his comeback after the operation he had earlier this year.

“I had to have an operation, that’s what they advised me to do and I had to take time away from the sport. It was a minimum of six months that was to go into my wrist and essentially sew my tendons back together which sounds pretty brutal. Also in my wrist I have no cartilage left so when I throw my two bones near my index finger rub together, so there was words about shaving the bone so as you can tell they are two quite big procedures for someone who plays darts. I didn’t want to go down that route so the only other option was rest and a bit of rehab which is the option I went down. Its obviously effected my match practice after around half an hour the pain was unbearable but I didn’t want to take the risk of the second operation. No.1 would I able to come back to the standard I’ve played at, 2. would I be able to play again. ”

However luckily for Aspinall following the injury he seems to be back to his best after he won at the Pro Tour after his surgery. It was evident on the night how much the win meant to him.

“I think you saw the emotion I say its only a Pro Tour when it’s a massive thing, but I’ve won bigger tournaments than that, but I think I showed more emotion here than winning the UK Open.”

“ It’s been a battle, its been tough ,I’ve been a nightmare to live with these last 5 months, I’ve had to deal with my mental state as well. But I love this game, I have an amazing life and I keep saying this but when you get so close to it being taken away you appreciate what you’ve got… But that win was a massive weight off my shoulders.”

Aspinall has continued his success since his return, although he might not have won against Van Gerwen he got to the final of the World Grand Prix despite all the circumstances he's had to face.

The World No.11 saw past Humphfries, Noppert and Lukeman before having to face an out of form Gerwyn Price in the semi finals.

“Gerwyn Price had two amazing sets against Joe Cullen but apart from that I wasn’t worried going in to the game. I thought he wasn’t playing great, I was playing okay so it was all down to the night. Thankfully he couldn’t hit double tops.”

The final saw him face Michael Van Gerwen and surprisingly to hear 'The Asp' didn't feel much pressure.

“I had nothing to lose, all the pressure was on his shoulders he’d been the best player all tournament. So I thought, I’m going to enjoy it. I’m going to pick up another trophy, get into the Grand Slam and get closer to the Top 10.”

It was evident from the interview that Aspinall only had one thing on his mind for what's next and that was his hopeful return to the Premier League.

“That’s been my goal since I’ve been playing at a level where my wrist isn’t hurting me, a level that I can compete at that’s been my target. to be in the Premier League.”

"I've got to make it impossible for them not to choose me."