Van Barneveld 'dreaming' of Premier League Darts return: "Maybe not this year, but the year after"

The first World Series tournament of the year will be played on Thursday and Friday with the Bahrain Darts Masters. Raymond van Barneveld will face the Japanese Yuki Yamada in his opening match.  

"It feels amazing, it was quite a shock really, I think six weeks ago I was sitting in my living room and received a text from Matt Porter that do you want to join us at the World Series. I never would've expected that. I know Michael (Van Gerwen) is on holiday, I know they would've asked him first but I'm really pleased to be here," said Van Barneveld to the PDC.

He now also sits as the only player to play in the first to still be involved in the World Series with Michael van Gerwen deciding against playing due to a family holiday.

"I was in the first time we did Johannesburg, we did Tokyo, Australia, New Zealand, Dubai for the very first time and everywhere we came we were treated like pop stars. Business class seats on the plane, amazing rooms in the hotel. I think we did really well and spectators were good and we're still going strong."

"The sport is growing still, East Europe is involved now. We have a fantastic player from Portugal in Jose de Sousa, we never would've expected that. French players, Belgium is really hot but we want to see what the rest of the world does."

Lauded highly for his 2022, Van Barneveld believes his Grand Slam run held the key to him getting picked for this tournament.

"Not on the ProTour, European Tour, I don't think I played really well. When the Grand Slam of Darts came, semi-finals awesome and maybe that's why I've been picked for here. I love the darts again, I put my ear plugs out as I can really feel the adrenaline of the crowd again."

But the dream is still there also for a return to the Premier League albeit not being in his short term future.

"Still dreaming of the Premier League. Maybe not this year, but the year after. I'm still available where the PDC wants me."

In his short term future is Bahrain and the start of 2023 and after a short off season he can't wait to get started again.

"I can't wait to take out my darts and show the world that I can still lift trophies and that's what I'm aiming about. I'm happy with my setup right now.  Hopefully I can win more ProTours, qualify for more European Tours and hopefully within the next year or two, go top 16."