Darting legend Raymond van Barneveld has announced plans to "slow down" his professional darting career that has spanned over four decades.
The five-time world champion (four-time BDO and one-time PDC) is without a major title since his 2014 Premier League win.
Most recently, after his first-round loss to Darin Young in the 2020 World Championship, Barney declared that he would retire, but returned to action the following year.
Last week, the Dutchman beat friend Jerry Hendriks at the Autotron in Rosmalen and spoke candidly on his future in the game.
Raymond van Barneveld beat Jerry Hendriks at the Autotron in Rosmalen on Friday
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Speaking to Sportnieuws.nl, van Barneveld said: “Of course, you want to make the Matchplay. But starting next year, I really need to slow things down. It’s all becoming a bit too much.”
“Maybe cut back on the Pro Tours. I’ll keep playing the Euro Tours as long as I’m in the top 16. But let’s be honest, the schedule is madness — it barely leaves any time to rest.”
The 58-year-old cited that, despite his vast experience in the game, he still had the hunger in his head to keep going - but his body won’t comply.
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Raymond van Barneveld said the schedule was 'madness'
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“I’ve been doing this for 40 years now, and I still love it. When you’re up there warming up and hear the crowd — it gives you an incredible feeling of pride.
“But while the mind is still willing, the body doesn’t always follow. That’s the tough part.”
With the likes of Luke Humphries and Luke Littler raising the standard of the sport higher than it has ever been, the former world no 1 admitted it is getting harder to compete at the top level.
“I do struggle with that,” he admitted. “It takes a lot of mental energy. I’m not sure how much longer I can keep going.”
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Barney has endured a poor run of form in televised events as of late, and claimed he had to be ‘honest’ with himself.
“Often it’s over in the first round. At some point, you have to be honest with yourself — I have amazing sponsors, great people supporting me, but I’m also 58,” he reflected.
“I still love it — tonight was another great example — and I hope I can keep going for as long as possible. But like I said: the mind still wants it, the body not always.”
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Raymond van Barneveld hopes to keep going 'as long as possible'
PA
Van Barneveld is undoubtedly a legend of the sport who has kept up with the ever-increasing pace of darts, along with the hectic schedule, for an astounding 40 years.
However, it seems as though he is coming to the realisation his time may be up at the top of the game.
After defeating Hendriks in the opening round at the weekend, Barney would suffer a 6-2 defeat to world no 14 Ross Smith.
Welshman Jonny Clayton would go on to win the tournament, rising to fifth place in the PDC Order of Merit in the process.
In Rosmalen, The Ferret has won 24 of his 28 matches there over the course of six events.
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