Van Barneveld is 1/4 to complete his comeback (Credit: Kelly Deckers/PDC)
Raymond van Barneveld has ruled out a potential return to professional darts beyond the 2019 season as he prepares for the final two major tournaments of his career.
The 52-year-old announced 12 months ago his intention to retire from PDC competition following the 2019/20 World Championship but speculation has mounted in recent weeks over a potential prolonging of his career.
The five-time World Champion vowed to walk away from the sport immediately after crashing out of the Premier League in Rotterdam in March, but reversed the decision the following day.
However, Van Barneveld is now adamant that he will stick to his initial plan of bowing out following the upcoming World Championship at Alexandra Palace.
“I don’t have the feeling that I have to prove anything,” Van Barneveld told Live Darts.
When asked if he would consider extending his career, he replied: “No, never.
“I’ve had enough, this is it.
“We still have the Players Championship Finals and the Worlds, but I’ve made my final decision, I’m giving up on January 1st – or hopefully the 2nd if I have to play the World final!
“I put darts on the map in Holland but we will never ever be so popular without Michael van Gerwen, he’s an amazing player and an unbelievable ambassador for our country,” he added.
The legendary Dutchman made his final competitive appearance on home soil in last weekend’s World Series Finals – where his run was ended by Dave Chisnall in the Quarter-Finals.
He was due to head to Wigan on Monday to compete in the Tour Card Holder qualifying event for the Grand Slam of Darts, but opted not to travel.
Barney has been drawn to face UK Open champion Nathan Aspinall in the First Round of the Players Championship Finals in Minehead on November 22 and will likely head to Ally Pally as an unseeded ProTour qualifier after dropping out of the world’s top 32.
His glittering career has spanned four decades and has seen him claim more than 20 televised titles across both the BDO and PDC systems.