VINCENT VAN DER VOORT has admitted that he is considering retiring from darts as he continues to battle his back problems.
The Dutch star, who was the runner-up in the 2007 UK Open, has been plagued by a back injury in recent years, and continued to compete at the top level despite the ongoing pain.
After losing out 3-1 to Max Hopp on Thursday in the first round of the William Hill World Darts Championship, the 41-year-old conceded that he is considering his future in the sport.
Van der Voort had used a break from competitive action during November to endure intensive treatment on his back with up to three sessions per day of therapy, but revealed his pain following the defeat to Hopp on what may be his final Alexandra Palace appearance.
"This is probably my last one - the way I look at it now I'm ready to give in, because it's just hurting so much and I've done everything I could," said Van der Voort.
"I'm not throwing the same, I'm not standing like I used to and I've got two hernias in my lower back.
"I'm playing against myself, not my opponent. Everything is a struggle at the moment and it's hard work when you're not playing like you used to.
"I've been to physiotherapists, and so many different therapists and it's not getting every better, and it hurts so much that at one point you have to think about retiring.
"I put everything into the last two months to make the back better, and I don't know what more I can do. I will probably be at the UK Open Qualifiers in February, I'm just thinking about what's next in my life really.
"I want to quit, because every time I play it hurts so much and you lose to players you shouldn't lost to, but on the other hand I love the game as well."