Dom Taylor is facing a fresh start in his darts career. The Englishman is back on the big stage following a doping suspension and has a very different feeling about his return. After a difficult period, Taylor says he has
rebuilt his life and feels better than he has done in a long time. That has also led to significant changes on the dartboard. New darts, an adjusted throw and, above all, a different lifestyle are all intended to help him rediscover his best level.
Taylor was in action at the
MODUS Super Series this week, where he managed to qualify for Saturday's finals night. "Yeah, feeling amazing, mate. A lot better than what I have been. Things have changed and I'm feeling good in myself," he said during their coverage.
Taylor visibly enjoyed being part of the action again. After a period away from the spotlight, returning to the familiar surroundings felt special once again. Even a practice session on the stage gave him a positive feeling. "Especially having a practice on that stage and knowing the cameras and that, feeling the heat of the lights is a good feeling again."
Rebuilding everything
For Taylor, his return almost feels like starting from scratch. He has changed his equipment and technique and has been searching for a throwing action that suits him better. He has also made major changes away from darts. "I've had to completely start again, new darts, changed throw slightly. I was stacking, but now I've gone back to throwing how I used to in a way."
According to Taylor, those changes are part of a much bigger process. He has not only reassessed his darts but has also completely overhauled his lifestyle.
"Obviously, no alcohol, so that's starting again majorly. Yeah, basically starting fresh and, I mean, my life's starting fresh again, so see if the darts count as well."
It is a telling statement making it clear that he wants to use this period to show a new version of himself. His motivation to perform at the highest level again is therefore huge. "I'm buzzed to get back to it and show people again that it's me, the real me this time."
Dom Taylor saw his career go up in smoke.
Confidence growing again
Taylor has already received the first signs on the dartboard that his hard work could be paying off. The Englishman has played several matches over the past period and shown that his level is still there. His averages in particular have given him confidence.
"I've shown myself the averages can still be put in. I was at last week or the week before at ADC weekends, the averages were up and down a bit, but I've put in the hours."
That preparation proved useful when Taylor received the invitation to return to the big stage. He received the phone call he had been hoping for on Monday morning and subsequently decided to do everything possible to make sure he was ready.
"I had the nice phone call Monday morning to come down. I've put the work in, ready to come here, so we'll see if it's paid off."
“Of course there's a couple of nerves”
His first appearance after such a long absence naturally brought some nerves as well. Taylor readily admits that he was nervous. According to him, that is only natural when you are back under the big lights.
"Yeah, of course there's a couple of nerves. Anyone says they didn't get nervous, chatting out their bum, but yeah, I just want to get into that first game now. I know I'm first game on tonight, so as soon as this game on, then we'll see what happens."
That Taylor is back with ambition is also clear from his brief response when asked whether he still has something to prove. "Yeah, 100%."