DARTS star Raymond van Barneveld admitted he “needs to change” after his difficult run continued at the Hungarian Darts Trophy this weekend.
The Dutch legend had produced a superb performance to defeat Dave Chisnall 6-1 on Day Two of the action in Budapest.
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But he was no match for Gerwyn Price in the next round as the Welshman secured a 6-2 victory to progress.
It was his fifth defeat this month alone, following another loss to Price earlier in September.
He was also beaten by Mensur Suljovic and Kim Huybrechts – who thrashed him 6-0 – at the Players Championship.
Speaking to Online Darts, Van Barneveld said: “I need to change. I know I sometimes look miserable on stage, I hear that a lot. But people don’t see what’s behind it.
“At home I practise four or five hours a day, then three more at tournaments, and sometimes you lose 6–1. How do you handle that? Nobody can tell you why you miss three darts at a double — you never get the answer.
“And when players face me, they know what to do to beat me, and they always seem to do the right thing. That’s mentally tough.”
“You have to keep searching, because the standard is insane right now. Look at Michael van Gerwen last week — where did that come from? I know I can play.
“Against Gerwyn Price I threw a wonderful game and still lost 6–4. That means I need to work harder than ever.”
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The 58-year-old is one of the most accomplished players in the history of the sport after winning five world titles.
And he hit back at suggestions he could hang up his darts for good despite his poor spell of form.
He added: “If I didn’t believe I could still do it, I’d give up. The ProTour isn’t really my thing — it’s too early for me — but on the Euro Tour I feel better.
“Players nowadays are all fantastic; it doesn’t matter who you play, everyone can beat everyone.
“But I can also beat them. I just need to work harder: maybe more in the gym, more walking, meditating… I need to find a way to get myself back. But I still believe I can do something good.”
After Price beat Van Barneveld to set up a quarter-final tie with teenage sensation Luke Littler, ‘Ice Man’ decided to pull out minutes before the start of the match.
Littler will now receive a bye to the semi-finals, where he will face the winner of Chris Dobey vs Danny Noppert.