"For the first time in my life, I'm enjoying the game" - Van Barneveld relishing Grand Slam of Darts run after reaching Quarter-Finals

Raymond van Barneveld is into the Quarter-Finals of the Grand Slam of Darts after seeing off Simon Whitlock in a narrow 10-8 win in an absolute thriller and he was full of praise for his opponent in particular after the match saying that at the World Cup of Darts, he was rooting for him.

"When was the last time I reached the Quarter-Finals of a major, I don't know anymore. Wow unbelievable. How amazing was he (Whitlock) tonight, he played absolutely fantastic. I came in tonight at 4:30pm to do a Viaplay interview and he still wasn't there Simon and I think in the last two and a half hours, he practiced one and a half hours total. Playing in a match like that was simply amazing," he said post match.

"It's not easy, it costs energy, it costs stamina. But you see we are dinosaurs in this game. I'm 55, Simon is 51, 52 and we are still able to give the crowd a fantastic match.

"I'm averaging 97, he's averaging 102. At the end the most important thing is to hit your doubles. How amazing is he, I was cheering for him when Australia won the World Cup this year. I was really happy for him as every year he was there, he played with Kyle (Anderson) and I love Kyle. He won it with Damon (Heta) which is why he is here and how fantastic he played. I feel sorry for him as he had an injury so maybe he didn't practice much but at the end I had my hands full with him."

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Van Barneveld battles past Whitlock in Grand Slam of Darts classic to reach Quarter-Finals

But the belief is there and a potential top 32 spot beckons for the World Championship and after a poor first year, he believes he can kick start.

"For the first time in my life, I'm enjoying the game. Even if I would have lost this game, I would have said fair play to Simon."

"Everything is possible, if I reach the semi-finals or final, I'm in the top 32 in the world. If I play my A-game, I can beat anyone and that's what I believe in. Last year wasn't my year but suddenly it can be right now."

"The crowd is always amazing wherever I go. I had one night in Aberdeen when they were cheering on Gary Anderson and I wanted to go back to my mum but the Scots love me. The crowd is always with me but at the end you're responsible. You have to focus and believe in yourself."

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