"Even when you’re naturally talented, you've still got to put the effort in": Taylor advises Lewis to play as much as possible in comeback

Sixteen-time World Champion Phil “The Power” Taylor sat down at the MODUS Super Series to give his thoughts on the return of Adrian Lewis, a player he knows better than most. The two-time World Champion, who has stepped back into competitive action, has always been close to Taylor — as a rival, protégé, and World Cup partner.

When Taylor first heard Lewis was competing again, his reaction was simple as he spoke to Tungsten Talk for MODUS Super Series: “I was pleased. I’ve missed him, not watching him on TV to be honest, so I was looking forward to seeing him. Obviously it hasn’t gone his way today, but never mind – he’ll be alright, he’ll come back again. It’s always going to take a bit of time getting back into it.”

Taylor stressed that match fitness is crucial: “When I was playing with him, he was very competitive. He was playing week in and week out, so he was what you call match-fit. At the minute he isn’t, so he’s got to build that fitness back up again, get used to playing longer games against people who can really play. People aren’t frightened of him at the minute.”

Asked whether the Super Series is the right environment for Lewis, Taylor was clear: “I think Adrian should enter as many competitions as he can. Get his confidence back up, get his scoring power back – because Adrian’s a big scorer. You can practise in your living room, but it’s not the same. In competition, that’s when you need to hit the double or the 180 at the right time.”

Lewis reminded fans of that ability during the event with a trademark maximum. Taylor smiled: “Adrian’s a good scorer, and he could finish as well on his day. Every player has good days and bad days, but if you catch Adrian on song, he’s phenomenal. I’ve played him when he’s averaged 110 against me, and I’ve still beaten him, but that’s the kind of player he is.”

Taylor first came across Lewis through his stepfather, Sammy Wright, a county player: “Sammy was left-handed, very similar to Adrian, great company, always laughing and joking. He didn’t have the backing Adrian got though. Adrian’s mum backed him, paid for him to go to tournaments. I was asked to practise with Adrian, and we just hit it off. He was a really natural thrower. But even when you’re naturally talented, like a Paul Gascoigne or a George Best, you’ve still got to put the effort in.”

Many saw Lewis as Taylor’s protégé, much like Taylor had been under Eric Bristow. Taylor explained his role: “I didn’t really teach him a lot – mainly practised with him, showed him different finishes. Eric taught me that. The main thing I’d tell any pro is: practise, but also make sure you get your rest. Rest is as important as practise – like boxing or bodybuilding. If you’re tired, your eyes are tired, and you won’t play well. You’ve got to live a bit of a selfish, boring life, really.”

Taylor knew Lewis had the ability to go all the way when he beat him for the first time in a small Blackpool event. “I’d beaten him every day in practise, but that day he played really well and beat me. Before that he didn’t have the bottle, the belief. But when he did that, I thought, fair play, now push forward.”

Taylor was there to watch Lewis reach his first World Championship Final. “Brilliant. I was really proud of him. I said at the time, if he was my own son I couldn’t be prouder. Part of me wished it could have been me and him in the final – that would have been like me and Eric. But I was in my 50s, so just seeing him there was fantastic.”

Lewis would win back-to-back world titles in 2011 and 2012. “When he first won it, I said to him, ‘Now you’ve got a big target on your back.’ It was going to get harder because everyone wanted to beat him. But he proved me wrong and won it again, back-to-back. Not many players have ever done that.”

Taylor and Lewis became a formidable World Cup team. “We gelled. We were very comfortable together. If I had a bad shot, he’d back me up. If he had a bad shot, I’d back him up. That’s what pairs is all about.”

The most memorable moment came in the 2012 World Cup Final against Australia. “Every player had darts to win it. Adrian ended up hitting double five to win it. I just told him: ‘Go straight at it, don’t worry.’ And he did.”

Taylor believes criticism of modern England pairings, such as Luke Humphries and Luke Littler, is harsh amid Dennis Priestley's words. “They didn’t let their country down – they tried their best. People don’t realise how tough it is playing in front of hostile crowds. In places like Holland or Germany, the booing and whistling can be deafening. Unless you’ve been up there, you don’t know what it’s like.”

Though retired, Taylor admitted he’d have loved one more chance to partner Lewis. “I don’t really miss it, but I’d love to still be able to play. I’ve had my eyes done, so my vision’s changed – I just can’t aim like I used to, so I’ve had to knock it on the head.”

Looking back on Lewis’ first World Final against Gary Anderson, Taylor said it represented a new era. “Players now practise alone for hours in their bedrooms, so they get into a rhythm of throwing quick. My advice to youngsters would be to slow down sometimes, practise with distractions – even put on loud music you hate. If you can play through that, you can play through a hostile crowd.”

Lewis, now 40, faces a crossroads. Taylor’s wish for him is simple: “To be happy – in himself and in his body. He’s had problems with health and family, and that’s tough. If he wants to get back to the top level, it means being away from home five or six days a week, and that’s a big strain. But whatever he chooses, I just want him happy.”

As for the camaraderie Lewis said he missed in the modern game, Taylor agreed it has changed. “He loved the banter – he was part of it! I used to start it off, winding him or Gary up. Me, Aidy, Wadey, Gary – we all had a laugh. Michael Smith was quieter then, Barney too, but it was good fun. I think money’s changed it now. Players put their headphones on, keep to themselves. But they’re all millionaires, so they’re not doing bad, are they?”