"Then I just notice I have too much trouble with the body" - Van der Voort states why he will not participate in World Championship qualifying tournament

Vincent van der Voort will definitely not participate in this year's World Darts Championship qualifying tournament. The North Hollander, who now ended his professional career more than a year ago, has finally tied the knot. Although he kept the option open for a long time, he decided not to participate just before the registration deadline.

On Saturday, 15th November, dozens of Dutch and Belgian darters will be in action at the Maaspoort in Den Bosch in an attempt to secure a ticket to the World Championship. Van der Voort could have been among that group, but after deliberation has opted to stay on the sidelines. "I've played a couple of demos in recent weeks and then I just notice that I have too much trouble with the body," he explained in the podcast Darts Draait Door.

The physical problems that already plagued him in his final years as a pro are still proving an obstacle. As a result, a comeback, which he has considered several times, is proving unfeasible. "I'm not going to keep that up five, six games in a row. Then you're not going to win. And I'm not going there because I like it so much or because I want to see all those people. So then we're just going to follow it. I don't have to go there to watch either."

According to Van der Voort, competing was indeed a serious topic of discussion. "But I discussed it with the physical therapist and he says I can do it, but there's a good chance it will stop after three or four hours. I won't go there for that."

That statement raises the question of whether the darter, for years a fixture on the PDC Tour, is now saying a final goodbye to professional darts. His participation in the upcoming Q-School in January, where players compete for a new Tour Card, seems to be the last possible scenario for a return. Yet there is little conviction in that either.

"That's why I'm putting it off, that decision," the former UK Open finalist continued. "If I don't go to Q-School, that's really the moment. Then it just stops. Then I retire, period. And then I'm also really never going to come back, never have to be asked questions about it again. Then it's just really done. Then I might play one tournament because I like it, but not for the rest," Van der Voort concludes.