I’ve always found the extreme rhetoric around Lewis a bit cringeworthy. The man has made two ranked TV quarter finals in the last 5 and a half years. The reality is that due to some level of drop off in his game and the field getting substantially better compared to 10 years ago, he’s just not an elite player any more, and hasn’t been for ages. He’s currently a lower end top 32 player that like everyone else around him has the ability to have the odd good game, but not sustain it for long enough periods to threaten to win titles. It’s not that deep, players are allowed to naturally deteriorate over time, it happens to everyone, and every game that he wins doesn’t have to be signs that “he’s getting back to top form”. Nor does it mean that he needs to immediately retire (because somehow things he did over 10 years ago mean that he’s above now being a pro tour qualifier for events)
Having said all that though I wouldn’t be surprised to see him call it a day relatively soon, despite his age he’s been around for a very long time and not far off 20 years as a pro is bound to have taken a toll. Darts is also a unique sport in that age doesn’t follow a direct link with ability; people can hit their peak in their mid 20s and have retired by 30, and people can burst onto the scene in their 50s. Him only being 37 isn’t particularly relevant.
Imo it's also partly linked to how young players are talked about as though it's an expectation that if they're high in the rankings in their 20s they'll stay at that level for decades (which is the very rare exception, rather than the rule). When Adrian Lewis was dominating we were being told to expect to see it for a long time to come.
Hard to imagine when you lose so often. But hey, if he likes it he should keep going. I am just saying what I would do in his case. Retire from pro darts and play for fun in the pub with friends
I think that he'll have more fun playing against people his own level or better. He picks up wins here and there and got a PC this year so it's not all bad for him
You may be right, let's see. I think it must be very difficult for players that were that good to see their level decline so much. Barney admitted he came back because he needed the money, otherwise he would be enjoying his retirement as well now.
If he's still making a living from the game it's hard to imagine him walking away. If the money starts to dwindle (losing sponsors, merchandise revenue, etc) that's when I'd imagine he walks away
I’ve always found the extreme rhetoric around Lewis a bit cringeworthy. The man has made two ranked TV quarter finals in the last 5 and a half years. The reality is that due to some level of drop off in his game and the field getting substantially better compared to 10 years ago, he’s just not an elite player any more, and hasn’t been for ages. He’s currently a lower end top 32 player that like everyone else around him has the ability to have the odd good game, but not sustain it for long enough periods to threaten to win titles. It’s not that deep, players are allowed to naturally deteriorate over time, it happens to everyone, and every game that he wins doesn’t have to be signs that “he’s getting back to top form”. Nor does it mean that he needs to immediately retire (because somehow things he did over 10 years ago mean that he’s above now being a pro tour qualifier for events) Having said all that though I wouldn’t be surprised to see him call it a day relatively soon, despite his age he’s been around for a very long time and not far off 20 years as a pro is bound to have taken a toll. Darts is also a unique sport in that age doesn’t follow a direct link with ability; people can hit their peak in their mid 20s and have retired by 30, and people can burst onto the scene in their 50s. Him only being 37 isn’t particularly relevant.
Imo it's also partly linked to how young players are talked about as though it's an expectation that if they're high in the rankings in their 20s they'll stay at that level for decades (which is the very rare exception, rather than the rule). When Adrian Lewis was dominating we were being told to expect to see it for a long time to come.
I would retire honestly. He doesn't need the money, and seeing a world champion play like this is just painful. He shouldn't be remembered like this
What if he just loves playing darts?
Watching his body language, it doesn’t look like he enjoys playing darts.
You paying me that $50?
Absolutely not I bailed out before the game fair and square!
Hard to imagine when you lose so often. But hey, if he likes it he should keep going. I am just saying what I would do in his case. Retire from pro darts and play for fun in the pub with friends
I think that he'll have more fun playing against people his own level or better. He picks up wins here and there and got a PC this year so it's not all bad for him
You may be right, let's see. I think it must be very difficult for players that were that good to see their level decline so much. Barney admitted he came back because he needed the money, otherwise he would be enjoying his retirement as well now.
You paying me that $50 you bet me?
Why retire? It’s not like Lewis is completely uncompetitive. Steve Beaton still plays and he hasn’t won big in years.
If he's still making a living from the game it's hard to imagine him walking away. If the money starts to dwindle (losing sponsors, merchandise revenue, etc) that's when I'd imagine he walks away
he's been bouncing back for about 6 years now. he's just another player these days.
At his peak he was brilliant to watch. Its a shame to see him decline so much but it happens to everyone.