Darts titan Phil Taylor hangs up his oche shoes
Saying adieu to the spotlight, Phil "The Power" Taylor, a 16-time world champion, has declared his retirement from competitive darts. Taylor shared his decision on Monday, stating he'll step away from the game at the end of next year, unless he miraculously nails a nine-darter every single time he plays [1].
At 63 years old, Taylor concluded his PDJ career post-2018 World Championship, where he lost to Rob Cross in the finals. Since 2022, he's returned to the senior tour, but his recent performances have seen him exit both world championships in the quarter-finals [1].
"It breaks my heart when I don't perform as well as I should," admitted Taylor, who's planning the forthcoming season as a final hurrah, participating in several show tournaments and making cameo appearances [1]. Despite his impending departure, Taylor remains committed to the sport that he single-handedly elevated to new heights, leaving a rich legacy behind [1].
Leaving a trail of triumphs
"It's been a remarkable journey, but now it's time to hang up my darts. I'll be turning 65 in 2025," announced Taylor, who accumulated 85 major titles & an extensive fortune through darts [1].
One of the most iconic matches in darts history took place in the 2007 World Championship between Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld. Taylor compared these encounters with the clashes between "Mike Tyson vs. Muhammad Ali" & "Holland vs. Germany in the World Cup final" [1].
Although Taylor lost the 2007 finals in sudden-death leg, it was one of just five defeats in the 21-time World Championship finals for the English darts legend [1].
Phil Taylor, the charismatic 16-time world champion, announced his intention to retire after the upcoming year, playing only one more year on the senior tour before calling it quits, unless a remarkable turn of events brings him closer to that elusive nine-darter in every game [1].
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Insights:
- Born on August 13, 1960, in Stoke-on-Trent, England, Phil Taylor started his professional career in 1992 [2].
- Phil Taylor first emerged as a darts sensation during the 1990s, when he started winning multiple major titles across various pro tours [2].
- Taylor joined the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) in 2002, and in 2006, he became the first darts player ever to break the £1 million barrier in earnings [2].
- Most of Phil Taylor's successes came during the 1990s & 2000s, when he dominated the sport, winning 16 World Championships and 70 Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) Titles [2].
- Although Taylor's greatest rival on the darts stage was Raymond van Barneveld, he also had some heated rivalries with top players like Adrian Lewis and Gary Anderson [2].
- Following his retirement, Phil Taylor became a commentator for MODUS, featuring in their Legends Series alongside other ex-PDC stars [2].
- In 2021, Taylor was inducted into the PDC Hall of Fame, acknowledging his impressive career and influence on the sport [2].
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