Raymond van Barneveld has admitted he’ll ask himself “what’s next?” after he misplaced his first match on the World Darts Championship for a second yr operating.
Van Barneveld was thrashed 3-0 by Switzerland’s Stefan Bellmont on Wednesday, successful simply two legs, and is ready to drop considerably down from his present rating of thirty fifth following the match.
The 58-year-old has already retired as soon as from darts initially of 2020 however returned after a yr out and received again into the highest 32. Nonetheless, he has struggled to carry out on the large stage which irks the five-time world champion.
“It has been a very poor year for me. I need to regroup myself,” he informed Dutch TV channel Viaplay.
“It is very troublesome to reply what’s subsequent. On the apply board I am a five-time world champion, possibly even ten-time.
“But during the matches it just is not going my way. And why not? I don’t know. I can’t answer that, really.”
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 greatest kind on the main televised occasions.
He added: “Of course, this hurts. It’s the second time in a row this happens to me. I wonder by myself how to go on.
“I’m wondering what to do as a result of struggling each week from all of the defeats just isn’t what I need. That is apparent.
“He doesn’t even have a tour card and to only win two legs, that says it all. I have got homework to do and have to find out what to do next. But, this one hurts, that’s obvious.”
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 knowledgeable 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’s difficult to have such longevity” however expects Van Barneveld to hold in enjoying in 2026.
“It’s not easy to walk away. Barney could be practicing great. I’ve seen him at exhibitions when he looked really happy and he was marvellous,” stated 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 towards Brendan Dolan on the World Darts Championship in 2010
“You always have that hope and expectation. Father Time catches up with you. Your eyesight goes, sometimes you feel 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 choice to make.
“I can’t see him walking away because darts has never been in such a good place.”
Who will win the Paddy Energy World Darts Championship? Watch each match completely reside throughout till Saturday January 3 on Sky Sports activities’ devoted darts channel. Stream darts and extra high sport with NOW.
