Raymond van Barneveld admits he needs to ‘regroup’ following his opening round defeat at the 2025/26 Paddy Power World Darts Championship on Wednesday.
Van Barneveld’s record-equalling 33rd World Championship campaign culminated in an early exit at the hands of Stefan Bellmont, who produced a clinical display to become the first Swiss player to triumph in the sport's showpiece event.
Bellmont - this year’s Winmau Challenge Tour champion - won eight consecutive legs on his way to a landmark victory, despite averaging 91.36 to Van Barneveld’s 92.50.
However, the five-time World Champion was left to reflect on a chastening evening at Alexandra Palace, conceding he needs to assess his options following a disappointing 2025 season.
"It has been a very poor year for me. I need to regroup myself,” Van Barneveld told Viaplay post-match.
"Whenever I was practicing at my office I played really well. It’s so frustrating that in practice I hit a 140 and a 180 every time.”
“Stefan played a great match. He deserved to win. He missed the bull for a 170 but whenever it was needed, he hit the double. My compliments, he just played well.”
Van Barneveld has shown glimpses of his brilliant best this year, averaging almost 108 on the European Tour back in September – his highest average on the big stage since June 2018.
However, the Dutch icon is without a televised ranking victory since March’s UK Open, despite featuring in the World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, European Championship and Players Championship Finals since then.
"It’s very difficult to answer what's next,” continued the 58-year-old.
“On the practice board I’m a five-time World Champion, maybe even ten-time, but during the matches it just is not going my way. And why not? I don’t know. I can’t answer that, really.
"Of course, this hurts. It’s the second time in a row this happens to me. I wonder by myself how to go on.
"I wonder what to do because suffering every week from all the defeats is not what I want.
“I have got homework to do and have to find out what to do next. But, this one hurts, that’s obvious.”