"I just wanted to quit and not win": Illness left Nathan Aspinall devoid of motivation during World Series of Darts Finals comeback

Nathan Aspinall has booked his place in the second round of the World Series of Darts Finals despite physical discomfort and wanting to go home he admitted.

‘The Asp’ found himself 4-1 down against Raymond Smith in Amsterdam, but battled back to secure a 6-4 victory. Afterwards, the Englishman admitted that during the match he repeatedly felt like throwing in the towel.

"Yeah, it's a big win, you know, there's so many parts in that game that I just wanted to quit and not win. Just go home because I feel pretty rubbish. But, you know, I'm a hypochondriac, it's probably not that bad, let's be honest with you," he said to Online Darts post match.

Aspinall was able to count on plenty of support in Amsterdam and ultimately found the motivation to keep going. "But, nah, you know, I had a lot of support, my mates out there, Kirsty (his wife) came with me. I know she didn't want to go home tomorrow, so I did what I always do, I dig deep in a battle. And, you know, he wasn't playing very well, so I thought I'd break him back at 4-1, I think he'll go. And he played rubbish last two legs and I won, so happy days."

When Aspinall fell 4-1 behind, something changed for him. Just when the match appeared to be almost lost, some of the pressure disappeared. Known as the street fighter type player who never quits and never knows when he is beaten, Aspinall said that he was buoyed honestly by money and how many holidays he can book. But it is often a characteristic he shows to find his way through.

"I think the shackles come off, the pressure's off, you know, you're not expected to win from 4-1 down. But then also as well, you know, sometimes it's like you feel sorry for yourself, like I've done all day. Everyone who's been around me today has stopped moaning, but I felt so sorry for myself all day.

"And it's like, I played one game here for £10,000, sort your head out, it's half an hour. And, you know, sometimes I think what my family could do with that and what holidays I could book. And, yeah, it just kind of gives me determination, you know.

"It was a gutsy performance to come back from 4-1 down and I'm very happy that I finished the game off with no dramas at the end."

The atmosphere in Amsterdam also helped Aspinall. The Englishman is known for enjoying interaction with the crowd and clearly feels at home on the big stage. "Remember Gezzy saying when obviously they started cheering for him, he hated it.

"He preferred to boo him because obviously you're playing for 5,000 people in that venue as well. But, yeah, of course I love playing on a stage. Everyone knows I don't particularly like playing on the floor.

"I love the louder the better for me. And, you know, I think tomorrow there will be been more in there. Just keep chanting, keep singing, shout, sing, do what you want.

"The louder the better because I don't think about my darts then. I get involved in my head. I sing the little songs in my head while I'm playing and it makes me relax. So, yeah, stage, love it."

Aspinall also has clear ambitions for the remainder of the season. The world number sixteen wants to climb back up the rankings. "Well, you know, I think I've had a break. I've been playing for four weeks now. It's a long time now. Management's been a bit tight. But, yeah, I'm going to try and play as much as I can, obviously. You know, changing my mindset.

"I want to qualify for Minehead. I've got a bit to do. I'm in Den Bosch this week. Possibly might not have been if I lost that game. But, yeah, I'm in Den Bosch this week. But, no, I've got to play because, you know, as Vincent pointed out the obvious a minute ago on Dutch TV that I'm 16th.

"I'm playing Littler in the second round at the moment. Probably not ideal. You know what I mean? So I need to get up them rankings. I'm better than 16th in the world, you know, even with my bit of flaw in my throw. I'm a top ten player all day and I need to start proving that.

"I'm playing well. My averages, even when I don't think I'm playing well, are right up there. So let's go and do this. Win some tournaments. Push myself back in the top ten, top eight. Back in the Premier League. Back in the World Series. Life's good.