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Scottish Sun
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
‘I struggle' – Five-time darts world champion drops retirement hint and is ‘not sure how much longer I can keep going'
The Dutchman previously announced plans to retire but then reversed his decision DARTBREAK 'I struggle' – Five-time darts world champion drops retirement hint and is 'not sure how much longer I can keep going' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DARTS icon Raymond van Barneveld has announced his intention to gradually close out his playing days. The Dutchman has enjoyed a career which has so far spanned over 40 years. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Raymond van Barneveld has announced his plans to wind down from darts Credit: Getty 2 Van Barneveld admitted he sometimes struggles with the physical demands of the tour Credit: Rex During that time, Van Barneveld has accrued five World Darts Championship titles and established himself as one of the greats. But his time in the sport is coming to an end. Speaking to recently, the 58-year-old revealed that he intends to start winding down later this year. He said: "Of course, you want to make the Matchplay. But starting next year, I really need to slow things down. It's all becoming a bit too much." READ MORE IN DARTS CALLING IT A DAY One of darts' most recognisable voices makes retirement decision Van Barneveld suggested that he may reduce the amount of events he plays at starting in the near future. He continued: "Maybe cut back on the Pro Tours. I'll keep playing 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." The Dutchman also admitted that he now finds it difficult keeping up with the physical demands of the tour. "I've been doing this for forty years now, and I still love it," he said. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "When you're up there warming up and hear the crowd — it gives you an incredible feeling of pride. "But while the mind is still willing, the body doesn't always follow. That's the tough part. 'It's a little bit insane' - Raymond van Barneveld reveals what's going wrong for Michael van Gerwen at the moment "I do struggle with that. It takes a lot of mental energy. I'm not sure how much longer I can keep going." Van Barneveld initially announced plans to retire after losing to Darin Young in the first round of the 2020 World Championship. However, just one year later, he reversed his decision and returned to the oche. Since then, the former World Champion has been competing regularly at events.
The Irish Sun
27-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘I struggle' – Five-time darts world champion drops retirement hint and is ‘not sure how much longer I can keep going'
DARTS icon Raymond van Barneveld has announced his intention to gradually close out his playing days. The Dutchman has enjoyed a career which has so far spanned over 40 years. Advertisement 2 Raymond van Barneveld has announced his plans to wind down from darts Credit: Getty 2 Van Barneveld admitted he sometimes struggles with the physical demands of the tour Credit: Rex During that time, But his time in the sport is coming to an end. Speaking to He said: "Of course, you want to make the Matchplay. But starting next year, I really need to slow things down. It's all becoming a bit too much." Advertisement READ MORE IN DARTS Van Barneveld suggested that he may reduce the amount of events he plays at starting in the near future. He continued: "Maybe cut back on the Pro Tours. I'll keep playing 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." The Dutchman also admitted that he now finds it difficult keeping up with the physical demands of the tour. "I've been doing this for forty years now, and I still love it," he said. Advertisement Most read in Darts CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "When you're up there warming up and hear the crowd — it gives you an incredible feeling of pride. "But while the mind is still willing, the body doesn't always follow. That's the tough part. 'It's a little bit insane' - Raymond van Barneveld reveals what's going wrong for Michael van Gerwen at the moment "I do struggle with that. It takes a lot of mental energy. I'm not sure how much longer I can keep going." Advertisement Van Barneveld initially announced plans to retire after losing to Darin Young in the first round of the 2020 World Championship. However, just one year later, he reversed his decision and returned to the oche. Since then, the former World Champion has been competing regularly at events.
Daily Record
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Raymond van Barneveld slams 'madness' darts schedule as Dutch legend admits he can't keep pace
The legend says he's ready to tone down his schedule as it's getting too much Tired Raymond van Barneveld says he simply now can't keep up with the madness of the darts schedule. The Dutch legend has returned from one retirement to get back onto the PDC scene and is still winning games at the age of 58. But multiple World Champion Barney accepts the sands of time are running as low as the energy levels as he considers taking a fresh step back from the gruelling programme. He said: 'Starting next year, I really need to slow things down. It's all becoming a bit too much. Maybe cut back on the Pro Tours I'll keep playing 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. I've been doing this for 40 years now and I still love it. When you're up there warming up and hear the crowd, it gives you an incredible feeling of pride. "But, while the mind is still willing, the body doesn't always follow. That's the tough part.' Competition becomes fiercer each week with the likes of Luke Littler and Luke Humphries lifting the standards and he continued: 'I do struggle with that. It takes a lot of mental energy. I'm not sure how much longer I can keep going. "At some point, you have to be honest with yourself. I have amazing sponsors, great people supporting me, but I'm also 58. I still love it and I hope I can keep going for as long as possible. "But, like I said, the mind still wants it, the body not always.' You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also on WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.
The Irish Sun
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Darts star Michael van Gerwen's miserable year from Luke Littler loss and bizarre injury to split from wife Daphne
MICHAEL VAN GERWEN has had a tough year both at and away from the oche. The Green Machine has gone through injury misery, marriage heartache and damaging defeats. 8 Michael van Gerwen has had a tough year so far Credit: Alamy Once one of the most feared players on the professional circuit, MVG is now seen by many as a beatable opponent when you're on your day. That reputation took it's first big hit of the year when the 36-year-old fell to defeat at the hands of teenager LUKE AWAY Van Gerwen is a three-time world champion and one of the best players to ever take to the stage. January's World Championship final matchup with a 17-year-old Luke Littler was an opportunity for the Dutchman to assert his dominance over a rising star that had drawn comparisons to a young MVG. READ MORE IN DARTS But the chance at lifting a fourth Sid Waddell trophy was gone within a matter of minutes as Littler stormed to a 4-0 lead, ultimately going on to win 7-3. It wasn't just £500,000 and the trophy that was snatched away from Van Gerwen, Littler's success as a 17-year-old made him the youngest ever winner of the worlds, trumping MVG's record of lifting the title as a 24-year-old in 2014. 8 Van Gerwen was beaten by Luke Littler in the World Championship final Credit: Getty MINNOW MISERY There's a caveat to losing to Littler, because despite being a teenager, he's still one of the sport's top prospects and best players. Most read in Darts CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS But there may not be many excuses for Van Gerwen has fallen to defeat in the first round SIX times on the PDC circuit this season. Those performances have included Much of the darts world were left scratching their heads at his performances, but pal and opponent Raymond van Barneveld hinted it could be down to fatigue. Speaking to , he said: "Michael was always a killer. I don't know what's going on. I see him often, what is really going on with his game? I am not sure. "We travel a lot, we play a lot. From Exeter last week, they play, one day later they go to the UK Open and play more matches. "[It is] almost unstoppable at the moment. It is really tiring for all the players and we have to protect them you know? "Premier League, Euro Tours, Pro Tours, in all honesty it is a little bit insane." 8 Van Gerwen's friend Raymond van Barneveld suggested MVG's poor form could be down to fatigue Credit: Getty - Contributor PREMIER LEAGUE PAIN Van Gerwen is the most successful Premier League Darts player of all time, winning the competition a record seven times - one more than Phil Taylor. But his efforts on the high-profile eight-man tour this season have been well below his usual standards. In fact, While he also went the entire Premier League campaign without winning a single nightly event. Speaking after missing out, he said: "This is probably one of the hardest Premier Leagues I have ever played in - not in terms of players, but in terms of myself". While former tour player He said: "I think his race is run. With what he's achieved in the game, is he that motivated anymore? "He says he is. He says there's plenty left it in him and that when he turns up, he's still the man to beat and one of the best players in the world. "I'm sorry, but I've got to say we haven't seen Michael turn up for a while now. We've seen flashes of brilliance. "Has it slipped into his head he has other priorities? He loves spending time with the missus and the kids going on holiday." 8 Nathan Aspinall beat Van Gerwen to prevent him a place in the Premier League play-offs Credit: PA Premier League Darts 2025 THE Premier League Darts is back with eight players vying for massive prize money and Luke Littler's crown. The teenager, who went on to win the world title in December, won the Premier League in 2024 and will be looking to defend his crown over 18 thrilling weeks. There were two new entries this season, with Stephen Bunting and Chris Dobey replacing Peter Wright and Michael Smith. Luke Humphries, Rob Cross, Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price and Nathan Aspinall keep their place in what will be a hotly-contested title race. INFORMATION Full schedule and results, dates, TV and live stream info Latest standings as we head to Finals night How much prize money is on offer in the Premier League? LATEST DARTS NEWS Moment darts star awkwardly falls off stage SEASON SO FAR Night One - Belfast Night Two - Glasgow Night Three - Dublin Night Four - Exeter Night Five - Brighton Night Six - Nottingham Night Seven - Cardiff Night Nine - Berlin Night 10 - Manchester Night 11 - Rotterdam Night 12 - Liverpool Night 13 - Birmingham Night 14 - Leeds GONE MISSING It hasn't just been defeats that have seen MVG struggle to stitch together form this year, but also his own decisions to pull out of competitions. Van Gerwen has Those events included multiple Players Championship matches and But it was his shock withdrawal from the Premier League in Berlin that caused the biggest stir after it was revealed he had Close friend Vincent Van der Voort revealed to Dutch podcast Darts Draait Door how the bizarre injury came about. He said: "Michael hurt himself in the afternoon—it was really unfortunate. 'He was trying on some shirts for his sponsor, and as soon as he put one on, he said something didn't feel right. He could barely move his neck. "He went to a physiotherapist, had a massage, even took muscle relaxants. He gave it a go, but it just wasn't happening." 8 Vincent van der Voort revealed how Van Gerwen injured himself Credit: Getty DAPHNE SPLIT Van Gerwen could perhaps put some of his struggles at the oche down to distractions in his personal life. And that became very clear when the world number three The pair have two children together, a daughter called Zoe, 7, and a son called Mike, 5. But they have sadly decided to call an end to their time together, with Van Gerwen announcing the decision in a statement that asked for space and revealed he is withdrawing from some upcoming tournaments. It read: "It is with great sadness that I inform you that Daphne and I have decided to end our relationship. As a result, I have withdrawn from the upcoming tournaments. "I am sorry to disappoint my fans, but I trust that they will understand my decision. "We are going through difficult times and ask everyone to respect our privacy during this difficult time." 8 Van Gerwen has announced his split from wife Daphne 8 Daphne had MVG had been together since 2008 8 The pair have two children together
