Players Championship 13: Nathan Aspinall battles through injury to lift trophy
Aspinall won his first tournament in nearly two years and the Stockport man admitted he 'felt emotional' after a 'terrible six months'.
🐍 𝗔𝗦𝗣 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗟𝗘! 🏆
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) April 10, 2022
Back in the winner's circle once again 🤩
Just look what it means to Nathan Aspinall who battles through injury to defeat Matt Campbell 8-6 in the PC13 final to swoop the title and the £12,000 prize money! pic.twitter.com/6dI9CkVuCw
"I feel so emotional, I've had a terrible six months with so much going on. It was only a few weeks ago I was wondering if I would ever play at the same standard again," said Aspinall.
"I have put so much work in over the last few weeks to try and get back to the level I know I could play, and it's all come together today.
"Two years since I've won a tournament, you start to doubt yourself if you belong with the big boys. But over the last couple of weeks I have put the time in and I am reaping the rewards, and today I am the winner.
"It is still an issue, the tears are still there and you have to let them heal for maybe 12-18 months," Aspinall added.
"I got the good news that I might not require surgery and I am having an injection a week on Tuesday and that should help it.
"I know I am a Premier League player, a top eight in the world player, but I have had a lot of stuff going on.
"Now my mentality and my head is so clear, and I need to get back to where I was in 2019, winning tournaments, TV Tournaments and be back in that Premier League. I just need to keep trying my hardest, and put myself in that position."
2022 Players Championship 13
Last 16
Martin Lukeman 6-5 Jake Jones
Gabriel Clemens 6-2 John Henderson
Matt Campbell 6-4 Peter Hudson
Martijn Kleermaker 6-4 Jonny Clayton
Brendan Dolan 6-5 Adam Gawlas
Scott Waites 6-2 Mickey Mansell
Nathan Aspinall 6-1 Scott Mitchell
Rob Cross 6-0 Kim Huybrechts
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Final