Raymond van Barneveld is determined to show that he can still compete with the sport’s elite when he makes his World Series of Darts return at the Bahrain Darts Masters.
Van Barneveld will make his first World Series of Darts appearance since August 2019 at the Bahrain International Circuit on January 12-13, as the PDC visits Bahrain for the first time.
The Dutch legend was an ever-present on the World Series circuit prior to his short-lived retirement in December 2019, before making a sensational comeback to the sport in February 2021.
It is almost ten years since Van Barneveld reached the final of the Dubai Darts Masters in May 2013 – the first World Series of Darts event ever staged - and he’s relishing his return to the big time.
“It feels amazing to be back. I’m really pleased to be here and I hope I can do well,” said Van Barneveld, who will take on Japan’s Yuki Yamada in his opening match on Thursday.
“I was in Johannesburg when we went to South Africa, we’ve been to Tokyo, Australia, New Zealand, Dubai – everywhere we went we were treated like popstars.
“The sport is growing still, and hopefully this week will be a great success.”
Van Barneveld is celebrating a special milestone during his trip to Bahrain, with today marking the 25th anniversary of his maiden World Championship triumph at the Lakeside.
The Den Haag veteran also became only the second player in darting history to feature in a 30th World Championship last month, following in the footsteps of Steve Beaton in his most recent trip to Alexandra Palace.
The five-time World Champion has seen the sport grow immeasurably throughout his illustrious career, and he believes the World Series has a pivotal role to play over the coming years.
“We saw it with Damon Heta – he won a World Series event back in Australia and look where he is now,” Van Barneveld added.
“This is why the World Series is really important – to bring us new stars.
“Look at Eastern Europe and how they’re involved now. We have a fantastic player in Jose de Sousa from Portugal – we would never have expected that.
“There are French players coming through, Belgium is really hot right now, but we also want to see what the rest of the world does, and I still believe we can do a lot in Asia.”
Van Barneveld begins the year ranked 29th on the PDC Order of Merit, after enjoying a stunning resurgence at November’s Grand Slam of Darts.
The 55-year-old rolled back the years to reach his first televised ranking semi-final for almost six years in Wolverhampton, claiming a brace of wins over reigning champion Gerwyn Price in the process.
Price exacted revenge with a 4-0 win over Van Barneveld in the third round of last month’s World Championship, but the Dutchman has his sights set on a return to the world’s top 16 ahead of 2023.
“When I won my Tour Card, I had a target to be in the top 32 of the world after two years,” recalled Van Barneveld, who is yet to win a World Series title despite featuring in five finals.
“Halfway through last year I was thinking I’m never going to make this, but then the Grand Slam of Darts came and that got me into the top 32.
“My focus for the next two years lays on the top 16, because that gives you more televised tournaments, and you want to be on the main stage.
“It is all about focus and belief. I was expecting a lot more from myself against Gerwyn, I felt great, but he showed why he was the world number one at the time.
“Hopefully I can win more ProTours, qualify for more European Tours and within two years or so move into the top 16, but there’s a long way to go.
“I can’t wait to play in Bahrain and show the world that I’m still able to lift trophies, and that’s what I am aiming for.”
2023 Bahrain Darts Masters
Draw Bracket
(1) Michael Smith v Abdulnasser Yusuf
Dimitri Van den Bergh v Alain Abiabi
(4) Luke Humphries v Man Lok Leung
Raymond van Barneveld v Yuki Yamada
(2) Peter Wright v Toru Suzuki
Rob Cross v Nitin Kumar
(3) Gerwyn Price v Paul Lim
Jonny Clayton v Basem Mahmood
Schedule of Play
Thursday January 12 (1900 local time, 1600 GMT)
First Round
Dimitri Van den Bergh v Alain Abiabi
Rob Cross v Nitin Kumar
Luke Humphries v Man Lok Leung
Gerwyn Price v Paul Lim
Peter Wright v Toru Suzuki
Michael Smith v Abdulnasser Yusuf
Raymond van Barneveld v Yuki Yamada
Jonny Clayton v Basem Mahmood
Friday January 13 (1900 local time, 1600 GMT)
Quarter-Finals
Semi-Finals
Final