Retired darts legend: Phil Taylor turns 60

Two years after his retirement, the Brit, who turns 13 on August 60, is still the sport's figurehead. When the most successful darts professional in history appears at exhibition tournaments, fans come in droves to see “The Power”.

Taylor had dominated the darts scene for almost three decades and was its main attraction. It is thanks to him that the former pub sport became a major event with the character of a folk festival, which brings high ratings for the television stations broadcasting it. “Of course, Phil Taylor first put darts on the map. He made everyone aware of it,” said German professional Max Hopp in tribute to him. “He is the legend of our sport.” The pioneer of his sport While darts used to be often dismissed as a game of chance, Taylor, who was invincible over long stretches, proved the opposite. From 1995 to 2002, the Englishman became world champion eight times in a row. From then on no one could talk about happiness anymore. Taylor's gigantic success was a combination of extraordinary talent, great passion and inexhaustible, almost ruthless, ambition.

The factory worker from the town of Burslem, which belongs to Stoke-on-Trent, only came to the arrows by chance. In the mid-80s, his wife gave him a darts set for his birthday. Taylor liked it. Soon he was playing regularly in the pub around the corner, which was owned by former world number one Eric Bristow. Bristow took Taylor under his wing and sponsored his early career as a professional.

Phil Taylor remains the hero of the masses even after his retirement. © SID / TOLGA AKMEN

In 1990, Taylor competed in a world championship for the first time. There the unseeded outsider caused a sensation and won the title. In the final, the then 29-year-old crowned himself with a victory against his mentor Bristow, whom he defeated 6-1. It was the start of an impressive career. By 2013, Phil Taylor had become world champion 15 times.

The trophy of the second most important tournament after the World Cup – the World Matchplay – is now named after him. The participants play for the “Phil Taylor Trophy”. And at tournaments, fans still sing the cult anthem “Taylor Wonderland” even in his absence. “People sometimes underestimate what he has done for this sport,” said world number one Michael van Gerwen at the start of the World Darts Gala in Dortmund last year. “People underestimate how good Phil Taylor really was.” Van Gerwen had a close rivalry with “The Power” for years. Since his retirement, the Dutchman has been missing an opponent of Taylor's caliber. Comeback a topic Taylor, who became a multi-millionaire through sport, is now enjoying his active retirement. He spends time with his grandchildren and does work around the house, like he does German press agency revealed. “I can relax a little more,” Taylor said.

He recently admitted that he would be interested in a comeback. But he couldn't imagine a longer tournament. “I play well, but I play well for one evening,” the darts legend told the British newspaper Independent and admitted: “If I wanted to win a big tournament that lasted a week, then I would have problems. You have to put in the work.” Phil Taylor said quite frankly that he could no longer keep up with the young professionals today. “No way, they would wipe the floor with me.”

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Retired darts legend: Phil Taylor turns 60

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