Dirk van Duijvenbode lives off income as part-timer at aubergine farm: "That's not a lot of money, but I can make ends meet"

Dirk van Duijvenbode has earned close to half a million pounds in ranking fees over the past two seasons, but those who think 'Aubergenius' leads a life of luxury will be disappointed.

''I hardly use my darts money. Of course you sometimes do some extras, like vacations, but my daily living needs I pay from the salary I earn here (at the aubergine farm, ed.) in 28 hours as a part-timer. That's not a lot of money, but I can make ends meet,'' Van Duijvenbode said in an extensive interview with the Algemeen Dagblad.

Instead of expensive cars or other luxury things, Van Duijvenbode uses his darts money to invest, among other things. ''I approach it differently than others, know the value of money. Often the spending pattern goes along with the income. I don't think that's smart. If only I had..., you think later. I want to use my darts money to provide a passive income, for example investments, with which you can eventually provide for yourself and a little extra. I know what I need for that and am far from there yet, but hope to be able to achieve that.''

Van Duijvenbode also revealed that he does not plan to continue darts until he is 50. ''No, impossible. You already give up so much since you're sixteen. Suppose my little son starts playing football soon. I'm home five weekends a year and those are in winter or summer break. Darts is fun, but it's not fun to miss everything. For myself, I have an age in mind with a maximum three to five-year stretch in it. If I reach that age and I become world champion, of course you don't stop. And it depends on your financial situation and home situation,'' Van Duijvenbode said.