Nathan Aspinall Battles Sunburn Ahead of Saudi Darts Masters Quarter-Final
English darts professional Nathan Aspinall has made a surprising confession about his preparation for the Saudi Darts Masters. The 34-year-old athlete admitted he pushed himself a little too hard off the oche, but not in the way most people would expect.
From Bahrain Success to Riyadh Sun
Aspinall arrived in Riyadh following a strong performance at the Bahrain Darts Masters. There, he reached the semi-finals before losing 7-4 to Gian van Veen. Despite that loss, his form remained sharp as he traveled to Saudi Arabia for the next tournament.
The Stockport-based player returned to competitive action on Tuesday night in Riyadh. He produced an impressive performance against Lourence Ilagan in the first round. Aspinall defeated Ilagan convincingly with a 6-1 victory. He recorded an impressive average of 100.93 during the match.
Weather Proves as Challenging as Opponents
While his darts were certainly on fire, Aspinall revealed that conditions off the stage presented their own challenges. After his dominant win over Ilagan, the English star joked that the weather had been just as tough as his opponent.
He explained that temperatures in Riyadh were around 25 degrees Celsius. Aspinall had not played competitively since his Bahrain appearance. After arriving in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, he decided to spend time relaxing by the pool instead of practicing extensively.
The sunny conditions proved too tempting for the darts professional. Aspinall said he enjoyed the weather but admitted he stayed out too long. He shared that his skin showed clear signs of excessive sun exposure. This marked his first visit to Saudi Arabia, and he fully embraced the warm climate, perhaps a bit too enthusiastically.
A Recurring Holiday Pattern
Aspinall went on to explain that this behavior represents a pattern for him. He said whenever he goes on holiday, he tends to overdo things on the very first day. The darts star ended up feeling extremely hot and thoroughly sunburnt.
He even joked that he had given himself mild sunstroke from his poolside activities. Despite this uncomfortable experience, Aspinall added that he planned to return to the pool the following day. His determination to enjoy the Saudi weather remained undiminished by his sunburn struggles.
Quarter-Final Challenge Ahead
On the sporting front, Aspinall now turns his attention to the quarter-finals of the Saudi Darts Masters. He will face Man Lok Leung, who caused a surprise by beating Danny Noppert 6-3. This promises to be a tough test for the English player.
However, Aspinall's recent form suggests he is ready for the challenge. His performance against Ilagan demonstrated that his game remains sharp despite his sun-related discomfort.
Significant Prize Money at Stake
There is plenty at stake in the upcoming quarter-final match. The winner is guaranteed at least $10,000 for reaching the semi-finals. Even the player who loses will still earn $5,000 for making the last eight.
The overall winner of the Saudi Darts Masters will take home a top prize of $30,000. This substantial financial incentive adds extra motivation for Aspinall as he continues his run in Riyadh. The English star will be hoping his sunburn doesn't affect his performance as he chases both victory and prize money in the Middle East tournament.
