Wayne Mardle believes Phil Taylor should be remembered as 'the most successful British sportsman ever'

Wayne Mardle has spoke in an interview with Sky Sports about Phil Taylor and his career after the most successful player ever retired after losing to Rob Cross 7-2 in the World Darts Championship final on Monday.

"Phil will be remembered as the most successful darts player ever. Maybe as one of the most successful British sportsmen ever (which I think he should be). "The way he has conducted himself over the years has been unbelievable. The players he has seen off, generation after generation." said Mardle in the interview with Sky Sports. "Dennis Priestley, John Part, Rod Harrington, Peter Manley, Colin Lloyd were all world No 1s but he saw them off. Nowadays it's tougher. He's 57 years of age trying to deal with an aggressive 27-year-old." After speaking about previous World Number 1's, Mardle spoke about the current one Michael van Gerwen. "Michael van Gerwen has had his say on Phil reaching the end of his tether because Michael has dished out some beatings." Finally Mardle finished off by speaking about the legacy Phil has left on the darting world now he retires. "Phil said on stage [after losing to Cross]: 'I got beaten by the better, younger man'. It seems like he has run out of fight but his legacy will live on forever." "He has left the game in a brilliant state with brilliant players. Maybe darts wouldn't be in such great shape if Phil had never picked up a dart. We owe him a lot."

Photo: Pieter Verbeek/PV-Darts