Taylor on rivalry with Van Gerwen if return happened: “Would I be in the top eight? I would be number one, I would get him I would”

Speaking to the Darts Show Podcast, Taylor revealed the reasoning why he decided to not play in the Rileys UK Open Qualifiers earlier this year after teasing a potential return.

"I thought about doing the UK Open, I spoke to Barry about it," said Taylor.

"I phoned him and said I might go to the Rileys qualifiers and see what the crack is, just for a bit of fun.

"He thought it was fantastic, but when we checked through dates if I had qualified I was supposed to play in a soft-tip tournament in Japan that would have clashed with the UK Open.

"Maybe next year but I am not so sure, I am 61 next and I am getting too old for it. I am now thinking that I am ready to finish in the next year or so, I have enjoyed the rest we are having at the moment.

"I may do the odd after-dinner occasion but I don't practice too much or throw as much as I used to - I can still compete against world-ranked players but I don't put as much effort in as I used to."

When asked on where he’d be in the rankings if he returned, he spoke up the rivalry with Michael Van Gerwen in particular and admitted he’d win a battle of the duo in their prime.

"Would I be in the top eight? I would be number one, I would get him [Van Gerwen] I would," Taylor added.

"If I had been his age he would have got it - he is not as mentally strong as I was and I would wind him up about that all the time.

"He would have loved it and I would love to be playing Michael in my prime and his - we would have had a great rivalry.

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