Darts fave coming to America with redemption, The Killers on his mind
No matter what happens this weekend, Nathan Aspinall will end his trip to New York on a high note. Literally.
The 2019 US Darts Masters champion is excited for his first trip to the city − playing host to the bet365 US Darts Masters on June 2 and 3 − and he's ending it with a performance of Broadway's "The Lion King."
"Finishing in style," he said.
Before that, though, he has some work to do.
Aspinall has eyes on the US Masters championship, after an injury cost him the chance to defend his title, won in Las Vegas in 2019. World Champion Michael Smith took the 2022 title during the event's first year at Madison Square Garden, and steps back inside hoping to defend it.
The 16-player field features eight of the world’s leading darts players taking on eight North American representatives.
"(Missing 2022) was a tough one for me to take because I've only been out there (to America) once and I absolutely loved it, the crowd loved me and it's a great place to play," Aspinall said.
In 2022: Professional darts hopes to hit the mark in NYC for first time at MSG theater
"So finally I'm glad to have come through all the injuries, and I'm back playing well, an adequate Premier League campaign. I'm glad to be back out there playing in front of the Americans because they're an amazing crowd. And walking out in Madison Square Garden is gonna be a dream come true," he said.
Coming back from injury
Aspinall tore three tendons and ligaments in his wrist, as well a tendon sheath. It's a common injury − for golfers. After seeing numerous doctors and specialists, he ended up working with a doctor who focuses on golfers and boxers.
"He obviously knew what he was doing, but he never really dealt with a dart injury before. To be quite honest, there's not really much you can go wrong with. It's not very strenuous, is it," he laughed.
Aspinall underwent months of intensive treatment, rehab, steroid injections and more, and then spend months more practicing to get back to the top of his game. He estimated it took a year to fully recover.
"And now we're looking forward," he said.
Finding his roots
It was a crowded pool table that first led Aspinall to play darts while growing up in Stockport in Manchester, England.
"When I first started going out drinking with me mates and the pool table used to always be 10, 15 people waiting to play, but no one was playing darts."
He caught the bug, and with help from his father and grandfather, who offered guidance from their playing days, quickly advanced. He played in smaller tournaments, winning 50 or 100 pounds, before he decided to take the leap and make this his profession.
"I literally walked in (to work), and as I'm handing in my note I think I had 14, 15 pound in my bank account," he said.
With a young child at home, he pledged to give it his all for 12 months. But he was close to giving up about nine month in, when he was down to under 500 quid. With the urging of his manager, he decided to grit it out, and won a tournament for $10,000 pounds that very weekend before taking the world semifinals a few months later and netting $100,000.
"Since that moment, I've never looked back," he said. "It all came from a big sacrifice and believing in myself."
Love of the game
He said part of his love of the game springs from its accessibility.
"Any builder, any accountant, anyone in any line of life can pick up darts or go into the pub, realize they're quite good and take some time and make it. Rob Cross, electrician, world champion; Michael Smith used to work on a farm, world champion; myself an accountant. We've all had normal jobs, we've all had normal lives and darts has changed my life. Anyone can do it. We've done it. Anyone can do it. Any kid can do it. You don't have to have money to be successful."
Aspinall also loves the party atmosphere of a darts tournament, with music and costumes and frenzied fans.
He came across his walk on song, "Mr. Brightside," by chance when searching for new music. He was hoping for a new, catchy tune to be released, but fate had other plans.
"I think it was a New Year's Eve. I was out out with friends and 'Mr. Brightside' came on and the place just went mental. Everyone was singing it, everyone was loving it."
He watched last year's tournament at MSG on television last year, and said the crowd was unreal.
"I've never been beaten in America, so hopefully we continue that trend. Hopefully the fans enjoy it, and fingers crossed I win my second title in America."
GO: Tickets for the bet365 US Darts Masters are available via Ticketmaster.com and at the Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and Beacon Theatre box offices in Manhattan.
Ilana Keller is an award-winning journalist and lifelong New Jersey resident who loves Broadway and really bad puns. Reach out on Twitter: @ilanakeller; ikeller@gannettnj.com
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Nathan Aspinall eyes bet365 US Darts Masters at Madison Square Garden
