Nicholson highlights importance of Whitlock: "Single-handedly the most important factor in the growth of darts in Australia"

Simon Whitlock's career has spanned over 20 years at the top of the sport with 'The Wizard' the leading light of Australian darts.

Whitlock hails from Hornsby in Australia, but settled in England years ago to fully pursue his darts career.

"Playing Phil Taylor in a World Final, the best player who's ever lived at this game, it was scary. They were totally behind Phil, it was tough. It was like being thrown to the slaughter.

"Moving to the UK and getting in the Premier League worked perfect for me and I've never looked back to be fair. That was my dream playing the best every week and just living the dream being a professional darts player."

One player that knows Whitlock very well and played with him at the World Cup and at the top level for a time is Paul Nicholson who discussed what he did for the sport.

"Simon Whitlock is single handedly the most important factor in the growth of darts in Australia," said Nicholson.

"He always loves to compete. Tony David won the World Championship in 2002, I won the Players Championship Finals in 2010. That did not shake the TV broadcasting in the country but when he made the final against Phil Taylor everything changed."

One of the main moments came in the 2012 World Cup of Darts final when Nicholson by his own admission was heartbroken and Whitlock was there to pick him up.

"Some of the time he's helped my career when he didn't even know it. I had a debt to Simon Whitlock that ultimately I couldn't pay (World Cup 2012 final)."

"I was heartbroken, he was the one tapping me on the shoulder saying it's going to be ok, we will have another try next year. I was saying for the year leading up to that I wanted to win it for him."

For 'The Asset', he believes another run is in him and that he will continue at the top level in the coming years.

"I think Simon Whitlock's got at least five more years within the top 64 in the world. I want him to have that one more run, maybe it's another European Championship or a World Championship run. I don't think he's finished."

As a known tinkerer with his darting set-up sometimes to some criticism due to the points he uses, Whitlock continues to attempt to improve his game and the end isn't in sight yet.

"I'm always a positive person. When I can hit 20 180's in a match and set a World Record, that's a great feeling," said Whitlock.

"I'm continuously thinking how can I improve my game, how can I make my darts better. How can I change the flights, stems, anything that will make me fly better.

"The day when I'm ready to hang up the darts it will happen but I've got that passion inside me, I love playing darts, as soon as I lose that I think that's the end."