"Hopefully, now that I've had my operation and everything, I can start playing properly" - Phil Taylor desperate to take Seniors glory before retirement

Thursday, 12 September 2024 at 09:33

Phil Taylor's days playing competitive darts are nearing their final conclusion. Whilst his professional career with the PDC ended back in 2018, by the end of this year, 'The Power' will also be retired from the World Seniors Darts Tour.

In his penultimate TV tournament, Taylor heads to the York Barbican in October for the 2024 World Seniors Darts Matchplay. Preparation for this event has been somewhat hampered however. "I had an operation about seven weeks ago," he recalls in conversation with YO1 Radio. Thankfully though, Taylor is off the crutches following hip replacement surgery. "Yeah, I'm walking now! It wasn't too bad. A bit sore in the beginning, but just had a few painkillers."

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"It was strange. The surgeon said to me, you've got one leg longer than the other and I've levelled you up!" Taylor continues with a laugh, admitting that it has affected him on the practice board. "It does feel strange. It's just incredibly weird."

Whilst Taylor is yet to taste success on the World Seniors Darts Tour, the 64-year-old is determined to take home another title before he calls it a day. "I would love to win a Seniors I've got to be honest. I wasn't right before, so hopefully, now that I've had my operation and everything, I can start playing properly," Taylor says with optimism. "I'll give it a good go and I'm really looking forward to it!"

Last year in York, the title went to the American, Leonard Gates. Does Taylor foresee a similar outcome this time around? "He's capable. He's playing tournaments and he's got the match practice," says the darting goat. Other names such as Martin Adams also pose a threat however. "And I've got John Henderson, he's come over now. In the next twelve months I think we'll see more big names coming over."

Taylor is of course, no longer active on the PDC Tour. The sixteen time champion of the world still keeps up to date with a keen interest however. One man in particular has caught Taylor's eye... Luke Littler. "He's done brilliant fair play to the lad," he says of the 17-year-old sensation. "The only thing that will upset Luke at the minute, is the travelling. It is very tiresome and he's not used to it. It's not just about darts anymore, there's a lot more involved."