Van Barneveld on mindset on return after ‘difficult’ farewell year: “I don't want to say goodbye like that”

Raymond Van Barneveld is through to the Final Stage of Q-School which will begin on Sunday with Tour Cards on the line.

After some good displays in recent days, the five time World Champion has high hopes for a successful outcome.

“I think it is achievable. In any case, I know that I have to be well prepared because there is a lot of talent out there. In some cases it will not be easy, but by the same token, I could get it right on the first day,'' he said in an interview with SportsNieuws.

If it doesn't work out, the five-time world champion still has a back-up plan for this season. “I can always play the Challenge Tour and try to get a Tour Card that way. ”

Whether Van Barneveld still feels the urge to prove himself by doing this comeback? “I have been just darts all my life. I never fully agreed with the decision to quit. The farewell year was therefore a very difficult year. A year that you don't really want to talk about anymore, including that match at the World Championship against Darin Young. I don't want to say goodbye like that. I want to put myself back on the map and if that doesn't work then I know I've tried. Then I can also live better with myself. ”