Phil Taylor confirms darts retirement – however solely after Elton John-style farewell
Phil Taylor will convey the curtain down for good on one among sport’s best success tales when he retires from all types of aggressive darts subsequent 12 months.
The ‘Power’ is planning to show 2024 into an Elton John-style farewell tour on the seniors circuit. But his resolution to shut the e-book on a magic carpet trip to 91 main trophies slams the door irrevocably on any probability of an encore at Alexandra Palace, the place he gained the final of his unbelievable 16 world titles 10 years in the past.
Taylor, 63, has struggled to breed his finest type since lockdown on the seniors tour and he revealed: “At the end of next year, I am going to retire from competition darts – unless I do nine-darters every time and then you will have to drag me out.
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“My grandson Matthew doesn’t want me to retire – he wants me to carry on forever – but it’s hard work at my age. When you are not performing like you can do, it breaks my heart. It wasn’t just me, people were saying things in the crowd, they had paid money to come and see you, you are trying so hard.
”There was no sarcasm, nobody was nasty, they were lovely. They wanted me to win and I was trying, but you can’t flick a switch and turn it on. It will be strange when I am not professional any more, but I won’t be slippers and pipe. I will still help to promote the game and they want me to do more exhibitions next year as part of the farewell tour.”
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Taylor, asserting his retirement by his long-standing darts producers Target, will perpetually be revered for elevating requirements to a stage the place 100-plus averages turned the norm, not the exception.
He handed in his Tour card on the Professional Darts Corporation circuit after dropping to Rob Cross within the 2018 World Championship closing on the age of 57.
Asked how he wished to be remembered, he stated: “Hard-working and really, very devoted. Of course you do issues that you just remorse in your life, and issues you may change should you might have your time again once more.
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”But as far as my career is concerned, then it wasn’t just me – together with Eric Bristow, John Lowe and Jocky Wilson, we put darts on the map. We gave these lads playing now the chance to be multi-millionaires, which some of them are. It has been a good journey.”
Phil Taylor has been signed to Target Darts for the previous 10 years. Explore Target’s whole Phil Taylor vary and excting Black Friday presents at www.target-darts.co.uk