Raymond van Barneveld: Has ‘Father Time’ caught up with five-time world champion as query marks over future come up | Darts Information
Raymond van Barneveld has admitted he’ll ask himself “what’s subsequent?” after he misplaced his first match on the World Darts Championship for a second 12 months operating.
Van Barneveld was thrashed 3-0 by Switzerland’s Stefan Bellmont on Wednesday, profitable simply two legs, and is about to drop considerably down from his present rating of thirty fifth following the event.
The 58-year-old has already retired as soon as from darts at the beginning of 2020 however returned after a 12 months out and acquired again into the highest 32. Nevertheless, he has struggled to carry out on the large stage which irks the five-time world champion.
“It has been a really poor 12 months for me. I have to regroup myself,” he instructed Dutch TV channel Viaplay.
“It is very tough to reply what’s subsequent. On the apply board I am a five-time world champion, possibly even ten-time.
“However throughout the matches it simply just isn’t going my means. And why not? I do not know. I can not reply that, actually.”
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Raymond van Barneveld makes his entrance to the 2026 World Darts Championship
Van Barneveld has received two Gamers Championship occasions since his comeback in 2021 however, except for a semi-final look on the 2022 Grand Slam of Darts, has not often proven his finest type on the main televised occasions.
He added: “After all, this hurts. It is the second time in a row this occurs to me. I ponder on my own the best way to go on.
“I ponder what to do as a result of struggling each week from all of the defeats just isn’t what I would like. That is apparent.
“He does not actually have a tour card and to solely win two legs, that claims all of it. I’ve acquired homework to do and have to seek out out what to do subsequent. However, this one hurts, that is apparent.”
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Stefan Bellmont beats Raymond van Barneveld within the first spherical of the World Darts Championship
Durrant: Father Time catching up with Van Barneveld
Van Barneveld, who has been an expert darts participant since 1984, has not reached the quarter-finals on the World Championship since 2018.
Former Premier League Darts champion and Sky Sports activities Darts‘ Glen Durrant says “it is tough to have such longevity” however expects Van Barneveld to hold in taking part in in 2026.
“It is not straightforward to stroll away. Barney might be practising nice. I’ve seen him at exhibitions when he appeared actually joyful and he was marvellous,” mentioned Durrant.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Have a look again at when Raymond van Barneveld produced an unbelievable nine-darter in opposition to Brendan Dolan on the World Darts Championship in 2010
“You all the time have that hope and expectation. Father Time catches up with you. Your eyesight goes, typically you are feeling aches and pains.
“He may have inquiries to ask himself. He may have the solutions. He retired as soon as and got here again, received tournaments, so he has an enormous resolution to make.
“I can not see him strolling away as a result of darts has by no means been in such an excellent place.”
Who will win the Paddy Energy World Darts Championship? Watch each match solely reside during till Saturday January 3 on Sky Sports activities’ devoted darts channel. Stream darts and extra prime sport with NOW.
