Aspinall Out to Defend World Matchplay money as Chris Mason believes the best is yet to come from Aspinall “I’m in the camp that we haven’t seen the best of Aspinall yet”

Aspinall Out to Defend World Matchplay money from two years ago, after a resurgent season. After a tough 2024 plagued by injuries and a battle with dartitis, Nathan Aspinall has come roaring back into form in 2025 – and just in time to defend his world ranking as he defends £200k from two years ago.

The 33-year-old endured a difficult spell both physically and mentally last year, but has bounced back in style, capturing two European Tour titles and making a strong run to the Premier League semi-finals, where he was eventually edged out 10-7 by the eventual champion Luke Humphries.

Aspinall – nicknamed The Asp – is already a two-time major winner, having lifted the UK Open in 2019 and producing a brilliant run in Blackpool last summer to claim the World Matchplay crown. However, injury setbacks and dartitis cast doubt on whether he could ever return to those heights.

Earlier this year, a candid and emotional Aspinall admitted the speculation had taken a toll on him and his family, but also spoke of his immense pride in proving the doubters wrong.

Now ranked seventh on the PDC Order of Merit, Aspinall’s performances are turning heads once again. Speaking to Online Darts, pundit Chris Mason suggested there’s still more to come from the Stockport star.

“I’m in the camp that we haven’t seen the best of Aspinall yet,” said Mason. “That semi-final against Humphries – even though he lost – showed what he’s capable of when everything clicks. He was only a few darts away from the final, and who knows what might have happened then?”

With the 2025 World Matchplay just around the corner, Aspinall heads to the Winter Gardens in Blackpool with a significant amount of ranking money on the line.

Yet based on his current form and renewed confidence, retaining the title is far from out of the question.