Darts World Championship: Raymond van Barneveld celebrates 30 years at the highest level of sport | Darts News

Is Raymond van Barneveld back? The Dutch darts dean has found his form at the right time with the 55-year-old looking to win the title for the first time since THAT game in 2007 Watch the PDC World Darts Championship 2023 – live on Sky Sports – from 15 December

Raymond van Barneveld was invigorated ahead of the World Darts Championship

Raymond van Barneveld says Phil Taylor’s text messages have helped boost his confidence as he prepares to come back at this year’s World Darts Championship.

The Dutch legend will become only the second player in darts history – alongside Steve Beaton – to reach the milestone of 30 World Championship appearances at this year’s tournament.

Van Barneveld will face Ryan Meikle or four-time women’s world champion Lisa Ashton in her first round on Tuesday, December 20, as she aims to win the title for the first time in 16 years.

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Devon Petersen thinks Van Barneveld can get back to his best form after the Dutchman’s impressive display at Darts Grand Slam

The 55-year-old heads to Alexandra Palace in a confident mood, fresh off his Grand Slam resurgence, where he progressed to his first televised rankings semi-final in almost six years.

And Barney has been bolstered by the backing of a certain 16-time world champion ahead of the sport’s showpiece event.

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Speaking on Love The Darts, Gerwyn Price eyes potential rematch against Van Barneveld in World Championship third round

“I’ve had some brilliant games here against Michael (Van Gerwen) and Phil, and Phil is hugely supportive of me,” Van Barneveld said.

“He was texting me every day at the Grand Slam, and he doesn’t need to because he’s retired. That was very nice of him and I really appreciated that.

“After I retired, I had to start from scratch and keep building. Winning this title again would be a huge win for me, and I can’t describe how happy it would make me.”

Another reason for his meteoric rise has been his growing ‘belief and hard work’, with the Dutchman training up to three to four days a week.

Van Barneveld, who proposed to girlfriend Julia Evans in Paris earlier this year, is ‘over the moon’ with life and he will head to Ally Pally with new, shorter-tipped darts that have helped him beat his great rival Taylor in his pomp.

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Wayne Mardle and John Part discuss Van Barneveld’s fairy tale run to Darts Grand Slam

“Thirty world championships, wow! This sport has changed my life,” said Van Barneveld.

“When I won the 1998 World Championship I thought it would last maybe three to five years, but it opened doors for me everywhere.

“In January, it will be 25 years since I won my first world title. I think we’re going to open a bottle of champagne and celebrate!

“It’s always great to be back at the most important tournament in the world,” continued Van Barneveld, who landed the first two nine-darts in PDC World Championship history.

“The world championship is the most important. It’s the one you want to win. You want to perform well.

“You have to have that belief and that’s why I often can’t handle defeat very well, because I know what my dreams and goals are, and when you don’t achieve them, it’s hard to handle.”

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Van Barneveld tells us about his sensational win over world number 1 Gerwyn Price at Wolverhampton

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Remember when Barney said an emotional goodbye to his Premier League darts career in Rotterdam? Watch his moving walk-on…

Van Barneveld doesn’t hide the fact that money is a motivating factor after quitting the sport following the 2020 World Championship, in which he suffered a shock first-round loss to Darin Young.

“Darts will always be the love of my life and I think I did the right thing by taking a year off and banding together,” he said.

“I’m in the top 32 now, and I’m proud of myself. I’m really happy, and if you feel happy, then anything is possible.”

Is Barney back? “I think so, so,” said the five-time world champion. “As long as I take care of myself and watch my diabetes as I can get blurry vision and cold hands.

“I’m still struggling with that, so I’m always looking for ways to find more stamina. I’m going to prepare myself by going to the gym and getting ready for Worlds.”

Watch the PDC World Darts Championship 2023 – live on Sky Sports – from December 15 to January 3.