"Unfortunately, times have moved on" - Phil Taylor comes to terms with retirement whilst commentating on World Seniors Darts Championship

This week at the iconic Circus Tavern in Purfleet, the 2025 World Seniors Darts Championship takes place. This year though, without Phil Taylor, who put a definitive end to his impressive career at the end of 2024. 'The Power' is present at the World Championship in another role however.

Due to lingering injuries, Taylor decided to put a stop to his career late last year. "Unfortunately, times have moved on now and I can't do it. My mind is okay, but my body won't do it anymore unfortunately," the 16-time world champion admits honestly in conversation with Online Darts. "But I know I've had a good career and a long career as well, so I can't be can't be too disappointed."

The 64-year-old Englishman is serving as a commentator at the World Seniors Darts Championships this week. "There's no pressure on me, so I can go and enjoy it. I mean, I've always enjoyed it, but it's a different kind of pressure," he assesses. "I don't need to make sure I'm in form and go up there and hit 180s or 140s!"

One of the biggest talking points in the sport of darts at the moment, is sadly crowd whistling. Taylor has seen this first hand during his own career so is well placed to make a comment. "It's horrible, just horrible. It makes your eyes go wonky," he explains. "It's the worst thing in the world and it should be stopped, but I don't know what the referees can do. If you can, you've got to try and ignore it but I don't know. I don't think it'll ever change."

"It's always been like that though," Taylor adds. "You've got to get the crowd on your side by playing well. That's what you have to do. But when I first started, obviously people had their favourites and they'd shout for them. Then as you were playing better, they'd start coming to your side a little bit you know, it was good. But now, it's changed."