Raymond van Barneveld expressed uncertainty about his future following his early exit from the Ally Pally tournament. The Dutch player was defeated in straight sets by Swiss competitor Stefan Bellmont, marking a disappointing end to his latest competition.
Despite clinching the title in his debut year in 2007, Van Barneveld has struggled to advance past the quarter-finals in his last six appearances. Following his recent defeat, the 58-year-old confessed to feeling lost about his next career move after a challenging year.
Van Barneveld reflected on his performance, acknowledging his opponent’s strong play and his own missed opportunities during the match. He highlighted the discrepancy between his practice success and match results, attributing part of the struggle to adapting to different playing rhythms.
Expressing frustration over his recent form, Van Barneveld admitted to the difficulties of facing repeated defeats and the uncertainty of his future in professional darts. He emphasized the need for introspection and improvement to overcome his current setbacks.
The defeat will impact Van Barneveld’s standing in the PDC Order of Merit, while Bellmont prepares for a second-round encounter with Damon Heta. As the championship unfolds at a packed Ally Pally, fans can expect an exciting competition with defending champion Luke Littler and other top contenders vying for success.