Raymond van Barneveld's comments to Stefan Bellmont have been disclosed after the Swiss produced an incredible performance to knock him out of the World Darts Championship.
The five-time world champion was eliminated in the very first round at Alexandra Palace, succumbing to a 3-0 loss to Bellmont - who went into the tournament without a PDC tour card.
Unseeded Van Barneveld won just two legs during the match, averaging 92 and failing to progress further than his first match for the second consecutive year at the tournament after a second round elimination last year.
Bellmont will take on Aussie Damon Heta in the second round on Sunday and after his victory over Van Barneveld, the Dutchman was seen in conversation with the man who had just beaten him in straight sets.
Afterwards, Bellmont revealed the kind words he received from 'Barney', telling media: "Yeah nice words. Brilliant doubles, good play, I deserve it. I'm very speechless at this time. He's a very fantastic player."
Advert
On his next match against Heta, Bellmont described the 38-year-old as a "brilliant player" but said he "will give my best and we will see what happens on Sunday".
PDC world champion back in 2007, Van Barneveld appears to be at a cross-roads in his career.
He retired following the 2020 World Darts Championship but only spent a year away from the oche and after taking the Q-School route, got himself back in the top 32.
However he once again finds himself in an extremely tough run and after appearing emotional following his latest loss, was downbeat about his current level and what the future might hold.
"It's been a really bad year," Van Barneveld told Viaplay, via Sportnieuws.nl.
"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."
In Thursday's action, Van Barneveld's compatriot and three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen takes on Mitsuhiko Tatsunami of Japan in his first match of the tournament.
After the improved prize money pot, the winner will earn a whopping £1 million for going all the way in the competition - with the runner up bagging £400,000.
Topics: Darts, World Darts Championship
Josh Lawless