Five-time world darts champion Raymond van Barneveld has been the focus of a number of stories in recent days following an interview with The Darts Show. Most focus on Barney’s impending retirement. However a large percentage of the Dutch icon’s words were focused on the exact opposite.
A new United Kingdom residence, new management and a refreshed approach being undertaken at such a late career stage is surely testament to his will to play the game has brought so much to?
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The Dutch legend has experienced an arduous and, by his own exalted standards, somewhat inauspicious season. Despite competing extensively on the PDC circuit, the former world number one has yet to advance beyond the quarter-final stage of a Players Championship event and has suffered opening-round eliminations in all four European Tour appearances this year.
Yet, his response it to reset almost everything in an attempt to improve his lot. Having descended to 39th in the world rankings, the 59-year-old remains in search of renewed consistency. In an attempt to alleviate the physical and logistical burdens associated with constant travel, Van Barneveld has recently acquired a residence in Milton Keynes, positioning himself closer to the epicentre of the PDC calendar.
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Explaining the rationale behind the move during he said: “I can’t really say what is going on. I try and do my best every time I am at home practising.
“The travelling takes its toll. Of course, the early days at the ProTours. I can’t tell you what is really going on.
“That is why I said I am going to have a break now. Today I got the keys for my house in Milton Keynes.
“So that saves me more energy travel-wise. I also have new management in England, Invictus, with Steve.
“I think living in the UK is better for me so I can do more work and exhibitions and stuff like this more often.
“Hopefully I can find my way back because I am not giving up yet.
“But it is tough. You spend a lot of time travelling and you lay on your bed.
“You are there at events at 10am and if you get beat at 1:30, you go back to your hotel room thinking, what is going on? What is going wrong?
“I will do all I can because we all know an in-form Raymond van Barneveld can do damage.
Securing qualification for the World Championship remains his paramount objective, particularly with several major televised events now beyond his reach.
He continued: “I’m not in a position to say I can skip tournaments. We all know the situation for the ProTour rankings. I’m not in the Matchplay, I’m not in the Grand Prix.
“I’m not in the Euros, so you need to save some ranking points. Otherwise you are going downhill and the biggest nightmare is not qualifying for the Worlds.
“So I am going to do all and everything I can with my new management, who give me good positive vibes to move ahead.
Barney’s Darts and Diabetes Battle Continues
But for many years now it has not been soley age, battle scars or simpy form that Raymond has to battle. Van Barneveld acknowledged that diabetes continues to exert a deleterious influence upon his performances, with early starts proving especially problematic.
“But these floor tournaments are trouble for me because it is too early. I don’t want to talk about it all the time, but diabetes is still there.
“It’s harder to concentrate. I have blurred vision. I have cold hands sometimes, especially in the morning. It is hard for me to focus.”
Those candid remarks offer a poignant insight into the manifold challenges confronting one of the sport’s most decorated figures. While Van Barneveld remains resolute in his determination to prolong his career, the inexorable realities of age, health and an increasingly exacting competitive landscape suggest that this may be his most admirable effort yet.
Images: PDC
