ASPINALL BACKS SMITH TO RECLAIM TOP 15 SPOT
06/11/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
NATHAN ASPINALL has backed Michael Smith to return to the world’s “top 15” by the end of next year.
‘The Asp’ will face close mate Smith in a blockbuster opening clash on Saturday as Group A gets underway at the Grand Slam of Darts.
Two-times major winner Aspinall is drawn alongside world No.1 Luke Humphries and American debutant Alex Spellman.
Aspinall believes ‘Bully Boy’ is finally turning the corner after a brutal spell battling arthritis and wrist, shoulder and foot injuries.
He said: “Honestly, you know, he’s been battling through it. He’s had injuries himself. I’m dead happy to see him back on Sky.
“Not happy to see him in my group, to be honest. Yeah, but yeah, I’m dead happy that he’s back. He’s been through the wringer like me.
“I think Michael’s doing it differently to myself. I spoke out and tried to get help. Yeah, he has been struggling a bit mentally, you know what I mean?
“All these injuries that he’s had, but he did want to do it himself. Everyone’s different, fair play. But yeah, he’s good.
“The thing is, he never lost it. He’s just lost his confidence and I think you’ve seen that weekend with the qualifying, he played really well.
“He deserves to qualify and yeah, hopefully he plays rubbish against me on Saturday and then plays well after that.
“He does his own thing Michael, you know, I’ll leave him to it.
“It’s obviously working for him because he’s back on TV and I believe he will be back in the top 15 probably by the end of next year.”
Smith has suffered 19 first-round exits on the ProTour in 2025 and faces the prospect of finishing the year title-less for the first time since 2019.
Former World Champ Smith had dropped out of the world’s top 16 and missed the Premier League, World Matchplay and World Grand Prix before booking his spot at the Slam last week.
St Helens thrower Smith secured his ticket to the major event in Wolverhampton by the qualifiers.
Image by Taylor Lanning.
