DARTS ACE VOICES CONCERN OVER MISERABLE BARNEY DISPLAY

CHRIS MASON says Raymond van Barneveld looked “miserable” on the oche after another early exit at the Players Championship Finals.

The five-time world champ crashed out 6-3 to Krzysztof Ratajski in round one in a performance that raised eyebrows across Minehead.

‘Barney’ averaged just 76.90 and failed to hit a single 180 against ‘The Polish Eagle’ in the major bout.

Former pro Mason believes the Dutch icon is now hurting his own legacy

He said: “He reminds me of one of those great fighters who fights on for so long that he gets beaten by players who shouldn’t beat him, and then you forget about all the good things he has done in the sport.

“He just looks so miserable, like it’s a chore to play. I think that is coming out in his body language, he’s very negative.

“He just looks like he doesn’t want to be here. I know what it is like when you know enough is enough, when it starts to make you miserable, get out and that’s what most people do.

“It’s not good viewing. He is such a great servant to our sport, and he was such a fabulous player.

“He has won so many big tournaments. That memorable final with Phil Taylor, but you forget that when you watch him play now. It is sad.”

World No35 Van Barneveld has reached only two ProTour quarter-finals all year, at Players Championship 10 and the Swiss Darts Trophy.

Van Barneveld last made a semi-final at a TV event in 2022 at the Grand Slam of Darts.

Image by Taylor Lanning.