'That didn’t feel so nice for me': Raymond van Barneveld reveals emotional toll behind Rosmalen win

The opening round of the Dutch Darts Championship in Rosmalen delivered a poignant moment on Friday night, as Raymond van Barneveld took to the stage against close friend and fellow analyst Jimmy Hendriks. What unfolded wasn’t just an all-Dutch showdown, but a deeply personal encounter between two men bound by years of friendship and mutual respect.

Hendriks had earned his spot in the Euro Tour event via the national qualifying tournament and, by fate or fortune, was drawn to face none other than Van Barneveld. A tough challenge on paper, but one loaded with emotional significance for both players. “Jerry and I go way back. I call him champ, he calls me champ. Jerry is a fantastic person, a very sweet guy,” Van Barneveld told Sportnieuws.nl after the match.

For Hendriks, the occasion held even greater emotional weight. He recently lost his mother—someone Van Barneveld also held in high regard. “She really cared about me as well. She was always there. That really touched me. I also sent him a message back then,” said Van Barneveld, visibly moved by the circumstances surrounding his opponent.

Though this was an official contest, Van Barneveld admitted it felt like much more. The five-time world champion stepped on stage with a heavy heart. “That didn’t feel so nice for me,” he said candidly. Emotion and sport collided in a match that tested even a seasoned pro like Van Barneveld. “Jerry felt the strength of his mother and wanted to do it for her. That makes it really hard to play.”

A pivotal moment came before a dart was even thrown—the bull to decide the order of play. “Fortunately, I won the bull, otherwise I might’ve just shaken his hand and let Jerry Hendriks go through,” he remarked with a touch of dry honesty.

This year’s tournament in Rosmalen features a strong Dutch presence, with 14 players flying the national flag. And for Van Barneveld, the opening tie was as tricky as they come. Nevertheless, he was relieved to come through the emotionally charged affair. His reward: a second-round meeting with in-form Englishman Ross Smith.

While the next match represents a fresh sporting challenge, it may also bring a measure of peace to Van Barneveld’s mind. “I always seem to struggle against fellow Dutchmen—I don’t know why. I lose to them more often than not, and that wasn’t always the case,” he reflected. “That just shows you have to play fantastically well. Anyone here can beat you.”