Raymond van Barneveld expressed uncertainty about his future following his early elimination from the Ally Pally tournament. The Dutch player was defeated in straight sets by Swiss opponent Stefan Bellmont.
Despite clinching the title in his debut year in 2007, Van Barneveld has struggled to advance beyond the competition’s quarter-finals in his last six appearances. After his recent exit, the 58-year-old admitted feeling unsure about his next career move following a challenging year.
Reflecting on his performance, Van Barneveld mentioned the unexpected difficulty he faced during the match, acknowledging his opponent’s strong play. He highlighted missed opportunities on crucial doubles that ultimately impacted the outcome.
Van Barneveld lamented his inconsistency between practice sessions and competitive matches, attributing part of his struggle to adapting to varying rhythms. Disappointed by his recent form, he expressed the need to reassess his approach moving forward.
With his elimination, Van Barneveld will drop in the PDC Order of Merit rankings. Meanwhile, Bellmont is set to face Damon Heta in the second round of the tournament.
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