“I’ve had things shouted at me and I've had to look in the dictionary to see what they meant”: Phil Taylor explains the reality Luke Littler now faces

Phil Taylor is once again finding himself back in the spotlight ahead of a highly anticipated return to the sport. The 16-time world champion is widely recognised as one of the best darters to exist but is not having it all his own way as he tries to get back to his prior heights.

The MODUS Super Series will be the location of Taylor's return. He played in his last PDC match in the 2018 PDC World Darts Championship final, losing 7-2 against Rob Cross. He has since played some senior darts and exhibitions but in recent times has put his darts down with his career seemingly a thing of the past.

That is no longer the case. Alongside two-time world champion Adrian Lewis, Taylor will represent his country in the International Pairs tournament in Portsmouth.

They are a lethal combo, having won the World Cup of Darts on four separate occasions. If they can find their rhythm and groove on the oche soon enough, they will be a force to be reckoned with. Seven weeks ahead of the tournament taking place, Taylor is finding troubles in practice.

Speaking to talkSPORT, he is struggling to find his best form. “I’m trying my best,” Taylor said. “I’m practicing, I'm doing everything properly. I just ain’t got it at the moment. It’s not there. I retired in 2019 and have done a few exhibitions since. I’ve hung my darts up for four or five years so to get my form back is very difficult.”

The 66-year-old still has his standards sky-high. He has won basically every accolade the sport has had to offer, and in numerous circumstances multiple times. In his time at the top of the sport, many would have been fed up with him winning every tournament.

He has been on the end of a hostile reception, seeing similarities to a certain Luke Littler who in recent times has been the pantomime villain on stage. In Amsterdam, the crowd was savage and gave him no breathing room. Even in England, the fans seemed to be cheering on the other guy, in this case Luke Woodhouse, who dumped him out of the World Grand Prix.

Asked about the ongoing treatment, 'The Power' said that the 19-year-old needed to adapt quickly. “You've got to get used to it,” Taylor commented. “I’ve had things shouted at me and I've had to look in the dictionary to see what they meant. You’re thinking ‘what are you on about?’"

A big part of it also comes down to gambling. “It’s just sport and it’s gambling as well, a lot of people gamble. If young Luke gets beat then obviously people win money. They always have a little bet against him because he’s always big odds. It was the same when I was playing. It’s something he’s got to get used to. If not, he’ll make his money then he’ll walk away.”