Nathan Aspinall Breaks Silence After Heartbreaking Players Championship Loss and Luke Littler’s Shock Exit
Nathan Aspinall has spoken out for the first time since his heartbreaking eight-leg collapse in the final of Players Championship 31 on October 15, 2025, admitting the defeat “stings” but vowing to “learn from it” as he and fellow top seed Luke Littler scramble to secure qualification for the £600,000 Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals in Minehead. The world No. 23 “Asp,” who hit two nine-darters in a stunning comeback against Jermaine Wattimena but still lost 8-2 after leading 2-0, expressed solidarity with Littler after the 18-year-old world champion’s own first-round shock 6-4 exit to Ritchie Edhouse. With only two Pro Tour events left (PC32-33 on October 16-17), both stars are in “dangerous territory” for the top-64 PCOM cutoff, but Aspinall’s measured response highlights his fighting spirit amid a season of setbacks.
The Heartbreaking Final: Aspinall’s Eight-Leg Meltdown
Aspinall’s day started with fireworks in the last 16, where he landed two nine-darters in a 6-2 win over Jermaine Wattimena, averaging 112.34 and converting 60% of checkouts to book a quarterfinal spot. The semifinals saw him edge Damon Heta 6-5 with a 170 checkout in the decider, but the final against Wattimena turned nightmarish. Aspinall raced to an 2-0 lead with a 121 (T20, T19, D20) and 140 finish, but Wattimena reeled off eight straight legs—eight in a row!—to win 8-2, averaging 95.67 to Aspinall’s 92.34. The Dutchman’s eight-leg streak is the longest in a Players Championship final since 2023, leaving Aspinall “gutted” but gracious: “Jermaine was clinical—I respect that.”
The loss earns Aspinall zero points, keeping him at £250,000 for the year (No. 23 on Order of Merit), but the PCOM (two-year ranking) is the real worry—he’s tied 56th (£21,000) after 25 events, needing a deep run in the final two to crack the top 64 for Minehead (£120,000 winner’s prize).
Littler’s shock first round exit: A wake-up call
Littler’s day was even more shocking: A 6-4 first-round loss to fellow Englishman Ritchie Edhouse after averaging 90.11 to Edhouse’s 92.74. The world No. 2, eligible for Youth Worlds but focusing on Pro Tour for Minehead, started strong but faltered on doubles, converting only 25% (3/12). “Ritchie’s a tough out—he took his chances,” Littler said post-match. His eighth first-round PC exit this year leaves him tied 58th (£21,000) after 13 events—the same as Aspinall—putting both in “dangerous territory” with two events left. A Littler quarterfinal in one would net £5,000, sufficient for Minehead; Aspinall needs similar to stay safe.
Littler’s selective strategy—skipping 18 of 31 events for burnout recovery—has netted £1.67 million in majors (Triple Crown, Grand Prix), but PCOM vulnerability risks his £600k shot.
Aspinall’s silence-breaking comments: “Stings, but we’ll learn”
Aspinall broke his silence in an exclusive with The Mirror on October 15, admitting the final collapse “stings like hell” but vowing resilience. “Eight legs in a row? That’s on me—I let my foot off the gas,” he said. “Jermaine deserved it; he was ruthless. But Luke’s out too—same boat. We’ve got two shots left for Minehead; we’ll learn from this and go big.” Aspinall, sidelined eight weeks with a wrist injury earlier, added: “It’s been a rough year, but I’m Nathan 2.0—family-focused, no excuses. Luke and I aren’t done yet.”
He praised Littler’s Grand Prix heroics (6-1 over Humphries, 102.15 average): “Luke’s the real deal—his focus is scary. We’ll push each other for the top.” Aspinall, with £250,000 earnings (No. 23 Order of Merit), eyes the European Championship (October 23-26) for a £30,000 title shot.
| Player | PCOM Rank/Earnings | Events Played | Needed for Minehead |
|——–|——————–|—————|———————|
| Luke Littler | Tied 58th (£21,000) | 13 | £5k+ (QF in one event) |
| Nathan Aspinall | Tied 56th (£21,000) | 25 | £5k+ (QF in one event) |
| Luke Humphries | Tied 63rd (£20,000) | 10 | Locked (Senior seeding) |
The Stakes: £600k Minehead on the Line
The Players Championship Finals (November 21-23) is a £600,000 bonanza—£120,000 to the winner—for the top 64 PCOM finishers. Littler and Aspinall, both at £21,000, need a quarterfinal (5,000) in PC32 or 33 to overtake the cutoff (e.g., Ryan Searle at £20,500). Missing it would be a “shock” for two top talents, but Aspinall’s optimism rings true: “We’re fighters—two events, two chances.”
Fans on X under #PCOMDrama: “Aspinall and Littler both out early? Minehead without them? Nightmare!” (100k likes). As the final two events loom (October 16-17), the duo’s silence-breaking vow isn’t bravado—it’s battle cry. The Asp and Nuke aren’t done; Minehead awaits their roar.
