Nathan Aspinall left confused by 'most common question' he gets asked during darts events
Nathan Aspinall says he gives the same answer whenever he is asked one very specific question while attending darts exhibitions.
Aspinall, like many other top-level darts players, attends a number of exhibitions when they're aren't playing competitively.
Later this month, for instance, he is attending an exhibition in Derby alongside Luke Littler, Gary Anderson, Ricky Evans and Adrian Lewis - who is slowly building his way back up to a potential return in the PDC. But he says he is often approached by fans asking for a piece of advice, and he is never quite sure how to properly respond to it.
'What have you got to worry about?' - Nathan Aspinall on 'the most common question' he hears at darts exhibitions
Aspinall has been publicly open about his battle with dartitis, a psychological condition which is defined as 'a state of nervousness which prevents a player from releasing a dart at the right moment when throwing'.
The condition can manifest itself at any time, and whilst Aspinall has admitted that he often stops during his throw due to the way in which he grips his darts, he has also experienced dartitis during matches.
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"I was scared of missing," he told Metro in 2024. "I've dealt with it well, had some fantastic people around me sorting it out.
"It was massively psychological. I speak to a sport psychologist every couple of weeks and he's worked wonders with me. He sorted the issues out that I was having."
Given that 'The Asp' has spoken so publicly about his experiences with dartitis, it is unsurprising that fans come up to him while he is playing in exhibitions asking for advice.
READ MORE: Nathan Aspinall candidly opens up about 'dreaded D-word' that 'not many people come back from'
But rather than it just being adults seeking support, Aspinall says he often gets asked to give advice to children who are dealing with dartitis as well - something which leaves him slightly surprised.
"I think the most common question I get asked when I do an exhibition is, 'My kid's got dartitis. Have you got any help?'
"I'm like, 'How old's your kid?' 'Twelve'. What?
"I had it because of stress from mortgages, family, problems with the kids. There were so many reasons I had it. But what have you got to worry about at 12 years old."
That being said, some darts players have revealed that they have experienced the condition at a relatively young age. Beau Greaves, who is now 22, told The Observer last month that she has had intermittent issues with releasing her darts since back in 2020.
"The other players don't have any thoughts in their head," she said. "You just have to ignore it and switch your brain off sometimes. And that's what I taught myself to do - just stop thinking about it."
Nathan Aspinall could face DRA punishment after World Grand Prix
Aspinall reached the semi-finals of the World Grand Prix, where he lost 5-2 to eventual runner-up Gerwyn Price in Leicester.
But he was captured on camera swearing after missing a crucial dart - which could now land him in hot water with the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA).
Article 3.14 of the DRA's official rulebook states that players 'must not use offensive language or "mouth" any offensive language or be seen to be making offensive gestures' while playing a match.
It is unclear, at this stage, whether the DRA will take any action against Aspinall. Neither the DRA nor Aspinall have as yet commented publicly on the matter.
Topics: Darts
Ryan Smart