VAN BARNVELED WAS “COMPLETELY LOST” DURING CAREER LOW

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD was “completely lost” and mentally finished during the toughest period of his career.

‘Barney’ endured a nightmare spell in 2019 as his personal life unravelled following his divorce from ex-wife Silvia.

The turmoil away from the oche had a huge impact on the five-time world champion, ultimately leading to his shock retirement.

Former manager Jaco van Bodegom has now opened up on the emotional toll it took on Van Barneveld during that difficult time. 

He told the Darts Draait Door podcast: “A lot was really happening in his private life as well. 

“He was going through a divorce and many other things were happening too.  

“I’m really not a crybaby, but we were sitting at breakfast in front of Ahoy (where Van Barneveld played in the Premier League, ed.) with tears in our eyes.  

“How are you supposed to play darts tonight, friend? All sorts of things had come out again, at least for us. So I think: yeah, this just isn’t fun anymore. 

“But he had to, you know, and he couldn’t talk about it either. There are certain things you just can’t talk about.  

“So it was quite tough, I think. But now it’s different. Now he can make the choices himself.” 

But Van Bodegom insists the Dutch legend’s struggles were mental rather than down to his ability. 

He added: “I didn’t want him to stop, but I could see that things hadn’t been going well for quite some time. 

“He was just completely lost. Mentally, I mean, because he can certainly play darts. 

“But mentally, he was just finished.” 

Van Bodegom also revealed how issues off the stage, including fitness struggles and sponsors pulling out, only added to the pressure. 

He continued: “He has been messing around so much with his physical condition. 

“You go through all sorts of things in your home and family life, and then it is difficult to keep playing a game like that. 

“Then it becomes mentally tougher. It just wasn’t working anymore. 

“He was going through a divorce with Silvia, and things weren’t going very well with Silvia. 

“Things weren’t going very well with Raymond himself. Sponsors were pulling out. 

“It just wasn’t working anymore. Your body isn’t 35 anymore either. 

“At that moment, it was the best decision, but then COVID came along.” 

Despite Van Barneveld later reversing his retirement, Van Bodegom still believes stepping away at the time was the right call. 

He said: “I can substantiate why that was the best choice. 

“And I think, once again, if COVID hadn’t happened, that would have been the very best thing that could have happened to him as well.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.