Darts legend Raymond van Barneveld is making “remarkable” choices, according to fellow professional Vincent van der Voort. Barney recently opted out of a crucial ranking event for a guaranteed payout, a decision Van der Voort believes signals a troubling lack of confidence and could severely impact his season and long-term career. This move is seen by many as “unworthy” of a player of his stature, highlighting a challenging period in his illustrious career.
The Crossroads: Barney’s Controversial Decisions
The darts world is buzzing with discussion after Vincent van der Voort voiced his concerns over Raymond van Barneveld’s recent decisions. Van der Voort believes that a player of Barney’s caliber should not be making such choices, attributing the move to a significant lack of confidence.
The Dilemma: Guaranteed Payout vs. Ranking Glory
Van Barneveld recently chose to participate in an exhibition event, reportedly at FC Twente, which offered a guaranteed sum of money over a Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) ranking event. While the appeal of assured income is understandable, Van der Voort questions the wisdom of this decision, especially for a player aiming to climb the rankings.
- Skipping a ranking event means starting the season one tournament behind his peers.
- Other players have nothing to defend in these early events, making it a prime opportunity to gain valuable ranking points.
- While the FC Twente event offers a substantial two-day payout, the PDC ranking event could yield much more. Winning just three rounds in a ranking event could net £5,000, with potential for significantly higher earnings for deeper runs.
“I understand his reasoning on the one hand that he’s going for guaranteed money, but this is also a ranking event,” Van der Voort remarked. “No one has anything to defend and he’s immediately one tournament behind the rest.”
A Question of Confidence: Is Barney Doubting Himself?
For Van der Voort, this choice speaks volumes about Van Barneveld’s current mental state. “It shows where Raymond is mentally. He doesn’t feel good enough to win a qualifier,” he stated. This suggests a struggle with self-belief, as a player of Barney’s historical standing would typically back himself to perform well in qualifying rounds and main events.
“I expected him to say that should have been doable. Apparently he’s not there mentally yet.” This mental hurdle could have significant repercussions for his performance throughout the season.
The Ripple Effect: Sponsors and a Challenging Season Ahead
Such decisions don’t just impact rankings and prize money; they can also affect relationships with sponsors. Sponsors typically want their players to compete in high-profile, televised ranking events to maximize exposure. Opting for non-ranking exhibitions could be viewed unfavorably.
Furthermore, these exhibition events can be physically and mentally draining. “They cost a lot of energy. You start your pro events around them already tired and on the back foot, especially at his age,” Van der Voort explained. This could mean Van Barneveld’s professional season effectively starts two weeks late and potentially with a disadvantage.
“He’ll really have to perform well in the first few tournaments and hope to qualify for the Euro Tour, otherwise it will be a long year.”
A Decline in Form: Barney’s Recent Struggles
Van der Voort’s concerns are underscored by Van Barneveld’s recent performance history. The five-time world champion has faced a tough couple of years, failing to secure a last-eight slot at any PDC Premier event for the past two years. This is a stark contrast to his earlier career, where he was consistently among the favorites or dark horses for titles.
“In the past three years he hasn’t won a round at major tournaments. That’s very sad,” Van der Voort lamented. This consistent lack of deep runs highlights a challenging period that might be influencing his current choices.
Van der Voort concludes that Van Barneveld is clearly prioritizing guaranteed money, which he finds disappointing. “How his endgame is unfolding is something you’d never have expected from him. This is unworthy of Van Barneveld. But due to circumstances it has to be, for him it’s a financial matter.” This suggests that financial pressures might be a driving force behind decisions that seem to compromise his competitive drive and legacy.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
