Raymond van Barneveld has spoken out about his future in darts after losing 3-0 to Stefan Bellmont at the World Championship.
The Dutchman averaged 92 in his straight sets defeat at Alexandra Palace, only winning two legs in the match.
The 2007 world champion appeared emotional towards the end of the contest against Bellmont, who does not have a PDC tour card, sparking fan fears that the 58-year-old could call time on his legendary career.
Van Barneveld retired at the end of the 2020 World Darts Championship but, after spending a year out, returned to the PDC via Q-School and re-established himself back in the top 32.
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A tough season for the Dutchman meant he was unseeded heading into Ally Pally, and he will now not progress beyond his first match for the second year in succession.
Van Barneveld spoke to Viaplay (via Sportnieuws.nl) just minutes after the defeat to Bellmont - which saw him uncharacteristically change darts in the break between the second and third sets.
He said that his Swiss opponent performed 'fantastically' and deserved his victory, but was less enthusiastic regarding his next steps after another early World Championship exit.
"It's been a really bad year," he began. "Ultimately, you have to pull yourself together. It's very difficult to answer this.
"On the throw-in [practice] board, I've been world champion five times, maybe even 10 times. But somehow, it doesn't show in the matches.
"Why not? I can't answer that.
"Of course this hurts. The second year in a row. You have to ask yourself: what's next?
"You don't want to suffer like this every week. If you can only win two [legs] against someone who doesn't have a tour card, that speaks volumes. Homework to do."
What has Van Barneveld previously said about retirement?
Unlike at the end of 2019, when Van Barneveld had announced his retirement a year beforehand and even called time on his career after the 2019 Premier League before reversing his decision, the Dutchman has shown little indication that he is ready to hang up the darts completely just yet.
However, he told Sportnieuws.nl earlier this year that he would be reducing his schedule for the 2026 season.
Various players have criticised the amount of travel involved on the ProTour, where Players Championship events are held around the world.
Luke Littler, for instance, has rarely played ProTour events due to his workload, with Van Barneveld admitting he will do likewise next year.
"I really need to slow things down," he said. "It's all becoming a bit too much. Maybe cut back on the ProTours.
"I'll keep playing in 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."
That is compared to how he addressed his upcoming retirement in 2019, when he said: "I noticed in myself that I can't keep up anymore. I'm not winning tournaments anymore ... I don't have the drive, motivation or fitness to carry on.
"I can't do this every week any more."
Topics: Darts, World Darts Championship
Ryan Smart