Nathan Aspinall's private message to wife about darts retirement after Luke Littler claim
Nathan Aspinall's private message to wife about darts retirement after Luke Littler claim
Nathan Aspinall has shared exactly when he plans on walking away from darts, after weighing in on Luke Littler's future in the sport ahead of the Premier League Finals Night
Nathan Aspinall says he wants to retire at the age of 45
(Image: undefined via Getty Images )
Nathan Aspinall has openly revealed his intentions to bow out from darts at the age of 45.
Currently 33, the Stockport-born star, who goes by the moniker 'The Asp', ranks ninth in the PDC Order of Merit with earnings amounting to £496,000 over two years – an amount he looks to significantly enhance before retiring. Speaking with SportsBoom, Aspinall said: "45, and I'm off.
"I've said to my partner if that's me, it is 45. If it's earlier than that, and we start making golfers' money and I've got 30 million in the bank – happy days, I'll be off sooner. But I don't think it's going to happen that quick. But yes, 45 is when I'd like to bugger off."
With his 34th birthday approaching this July, Aspinall has just over 11 years to pursue financial security and clinch a victorious finish at the PDC World Championship – having narrowly missed out twice. Aspinall reached the semi-finals of the prestigious tournament in both 2019 and 2020, where he faced defeat to Michael Smith and Michael van Gerwen respectively.
Aspinall's resume also boasts second-place finishes at esteemed events like the Grand Slam of Darts, World Grand Prix, Premier League, and World Series, reflecting his consistent high performance on the darting circuit. Despite not clinching a World Championship, Aspinall has certainly made his mark in other prestigious darts competitions.
For instance, he took home the 2019 UK Open with a 11-5 win over Rob Cross and triumphed in the 2023 World Matchplay by beating Jonny Clayton 18-6.
Aspinall will go for Premier League glory once again on Thursday
(Image: Getty )
With aspirations running high, Aspinall is aiming to bag his first Premier League title on Thursday night as he prepares to take on world No. 1 Luke Humphries in the semi-finals at London's O2 Arena.
Should he emerge victorious, Aspinall will go head-to-head with either Luke Littler or Gerwyn Price in the final.
His ambitions come amidst recent comments suggesting that young sensation Littler might retire in just five years due to his early dominance – including a historic win against Van Gerwen in January that saw him become the youngest-ever PDC World Champion at just 17.
However, Littler has dismissed any talk of retirement, saying (via the Express): "I don't know where he's got that from – don't worry, I'll be here in 10 years. It's crazy to even think about retiring.
Luke Littler hopes to retain his Premier League crown
(Image: PA )
"If I win 16 world titles like Phil [Taylor], I'll retire, but I'm not even thinking about retirement at the minute – the money is there to be won, especially the World Championship, but not only that. Everything has gone up.
"It is all about what you're feeling, and I'm sure I'll be here for a long time."
Littler, the reigning champion of the Premier League, is set to defend his title as he returns to the O2 tonight (Thursday). The 18-year-old secured his place at Finals Night after leading the league with a tally of 27 victories and just 10 defeats this season.
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He will be aiming to capitalise on his impressive form to secure the grand prize of £275,000.
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