Aspinall Wins Darts Opener, Flags Mental Health Crisis

Nathan Aspinall advanced to the second round of the PDC World Darts Championship on Friday after a tense 3-1 victory over Lourence Ilagan at Alexandra Palace in London, but the English player's post-match comments highlighted a deeper concern: a mounting mental health crisis among professional darts players.

The 34-year-old from Stockport, ranked world number 15 and a two-time major winner, trailed after the first set before rallying to level the score. He secured the win with a dramatic 170 checkout in the final set, averaging 94.01 despite visible nerves that left him shaking throughout the match. "I really felt the pressure. My face was like a tomato, I was shaking the whole way through," Aspinall said afterward. He credited Ilagan for applying intense pressure, adding, "Full credit to Lourence, he played a fantastic game."

Aspinall's performance contrasted with the freedom he described entering the tournament, free of injuries and past psychological issues like dartitis that once derailed his career. "This is the first time in years I've come into this tournament without an injury, without dartitis, without any issues in my head. I'm just Nathan as a darts player," he said....