Nathan Aspinall believes he’s getting back to his best after clinching his second European Tour title of 2025 in Leverkusen on Sunday night.
Aspinall lifted the Elten Safety Shoes European Darts Open following a thrilling 8-6 victory over Damon Heta, defying a hat-trick of ton-plus finishes from the Australian number one to triumph.
The Stockport star becomes the first player to win multiple European Tour titles this year, having also stormed to victory in March’s European Darts Trophy.
Aspinall had never tasted victory on the European Tour stage prior to his win in Gottingen, although his latest success parachutes him to the top of the European Tour Order of Merit after eight events.
The former World Matchplay champion kicked off his campaign with a hard-fought win over Bradley Brooks, before ending the hopes of German number two Ricardo Pietreczko in the last 16.
After edging out Chris Dobey in the last eight, Aspinall then averaged 103 to defeat Wessel Nijman in the semi-finals, before producing another ton-plus average to hold off Heta in Sunday’s showpiece.
"I've been through rubbish, but I'm getting back there,” insisted Aspinall, who has climbed to sixth on the PDC Order of Merit after pocketing the £30,000 top prize.
“If you want something you have to fight, to believe you can do it.
“When things are not going your way, you have to keep fighting, believing that you can get back to your best.
“That's what I do, week-in and week-out, and the last few weeks have been pretty good.”
Aspinall has enjoyed an impressive revival this year, making quarter-final appearances at the World Championship, World Masters and UK Open.
The 33-year-old also featured in Thursday’s Premier League Play-Offs, succumbing to eventual champion Luke Humphries in a high-quality semi-final at The O2 in London.
Aspinall was the solitary Premier League semi-finalist to compete in Leverkusen over the weekend, and he was delighted to return to winning ways following his near miss in the capital.
“To bounce back after the defeat on Thursday night and to come here and win this tournament, it shows where my game's at at the moment,” Aspinall added.
“I don't make games easy but in the semi-final and final I played fantastic darts.
“Credit to Damon - I thought that final was absolutely fantastic, it was a great game of darts, nip and tuck.
“He beat me in Rosmalen in a ProTour final, so it's one-one in finals!
“The support I've had this weekend has been phenomenal, and I’m just so happy to win this title!”