Taylor admits the fire is gone: 'It is awful, it is killing me'

Phil Taylor gave a very honest interview after his game against Chris Dobey in the first round of the PDC World Championship Darts 2018.
The 16-time world champion played a poor match by his standards. 'The Power' won 3-1 in sets, but in two of his three won sets, Dobey was ahead 2-1 in legs.
'Hollywood' was not been able to take profit of Taylor's off-day, which means Taylor's career has been extended for at least one more match.
"There was a lot of pressure on me, but to get through Chris Dobey [was good]," said a relieved Taylor. "When they keep on about the future of darts, that's your fella I think.
"And you've got Dimitri [Van den Bergh] as well, they're lovely kids and they're the ones to push the game on I think."
Taylor admitted the prospect of retirement is a tough one, but that it's even harder playing in the big events and not finding that all-conquering form of old.
"The fire's gone," he added. "I want to win, I've still got the fire in the belly to win, it's just the old utensils are not working as good as they used to. It's awful, it's killing me.
"And you know by my interviews, I have been very critical of certain players, sometimes justified maybe sometimes not. I've been a little bit bitter and I'm gutted that I can't play what I can, and that's what's killing me really.
"I'm really trying so hard and I can't do what I used to do. So I've got to shut up now."
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