PETER WRIGHT and Raymond van Barneveld have been warned their best days could be behind them.
Former double world champ “Snakebite” has endured a nightmare campaign and faces the prospect of ending a season without silverware for the first time since 2011.
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The World No16 last had a major success at the 2023 European Championship and he hasn’t lifted a Players Championship title in over three years.
Former pro Vincent Van der Voort reckons age has finally caught up with Wright, leaving him unable to deliver top-class darts on a consistent basis.
He said: “I don’t see him returning to the top level every week.
“Maybe he’ll win another title, but top five in the world? No, I don’t believe that anymore. Age is a merciless opponent.”
Analyst Damian Vlottes echoed those concerns and pointed out that legends can’t always live up to their past glories.
He added: “The same goes for Van Barneveld. For younger fans, he’s now just a player who often loses.
“But we know him as one of the greatest champions ever, and that contrast is hard to see.”
Five-times world champ Van Barneveld’s last major semi-final came at the 2022 Grand Slam and he hasn’t reached the quarter-finals at Ally Pally for seven years.
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The Dutchman was dumped out in the first round of the World Matchplay in July, losing 10-6 to Michael van Gerwen and averaging just 87.10 at the Winter Gardens.
Van Barneveld has made just ONE ProTour quarter-final in the 36 events he has played in this year.
Van der Voort highlighted a worrying sign in Barney’s 6-1 thrashing by Krzysztof Ratajski, which saw him dumped out in the first round of the Czech Open last week.
He revealed: “After just the second turn, he was already pulling faces. That’s very early in a match to look so unhappy.
“I hoped that after a month off in August he’d come back recharged, but it hasn’t really changed. With this attitude, it’s agony.”
