I’D RATE MY CAREER AS 7 OUT OF 10
As Phil Taylor looks to bow out with 17th world title, he says...
WHEN Phil Taylor has thrown his last dart at Alexandra Palace, there will be the odd burly bloke holding back the tears.
Taylor’s retirement will mark the end of an era. The PDC World Championship starts in north London tonight — with a sea of Hawaiian shirts and Where’s Wally costumes — and it will be the 57-year-old’s final fling after almost three decades of dominance and 16 world titles.
Without Taylor’s influence, it is impossible to imagine darts selling out the 2,500-capacity venue or turning men into millionaires.
So it is little wonder the sport’s overlord, Barry Hearn, has asked Taylor to reconsider his decision to retire. Yet, after years of living in hotels, this grandad is ready to turn off the Power — Taylor’s nickname.
‘It’s the perfect time to go,’ says Taylor, who faces Chris Dobey in the first round tomorrow. ‘I watched my children grow up, then they left home and had their own children. You miss them.
‘There are certain things I wish I could turn back the clock for. I never felt invincible. I was always pushing to improve.
‘I look at Lewis Hamilton. He won the world title but won’t be driving the same car next year. It will have improved and become better. You’ve got to keep moving forward. That’s the secret.’
Taylor has four times as many world titles as Hamilton in Formula One, plus 102 televised Professional Darts Corporation titles and a further 83 off screen, although he does not keep the silverware — just the cheques. If he lifts the trophy on New Year’s he wins one for £400,000.
Sportsmail asked him to rate his career out of 10. ‘Seven,’ he says. Why? ‘I lost four finals. There are a few things I lost which I shouldn’t have lost. I know what I did wrong. I was lazy. You could be making £1million a week, but you still get bored because you’re doing the same thing all the time.’
He is fresh from winning the World Matchplay in Blackpool but knows he will have a target on his back at Ally Pally. ‘It can be in their mind, “If I do this, I beat Phil Taylor…” It puts that bit of tension in the arm,’ he explains. ‘It’s like having to serve to beat Roger Federer in the Wimbledon final and thinking, “If I get this, I’ve won…” That does go through the mind.’
Taylor, who still plans to take part in exhibition matches, may return as a Sky Sports pundit next year. But he insists this is his final throw as a player.
The man who stands in his way is Michael van Gerwen, the Dutch defending champion tipped to take over as the king of darts. So one final question, who would win between those two in their prime?
‘I would have done him,’ Taylor says. ‘ Trust me. It’s like the Muhammad Ali and Rocky Marciano fight debate. Confidence beats a lot of people.’ TV: LIVE on Sky Sports Main Event from 7pm.