Monday 28 July 2014 15:16, UK
World Matchplay champion Phil Taylor is not resting on his laurels and is targeting another tilt at the world crown.
Taylor notched his seventh successive World Matchplay title – and 15th overall – with a 18-9 demolition of World No 1 Michael van Gerwen in Blackpool on Sunday.
Taylor admitted afterwards that the last few months had been “an absolute nightmare” after struggling to find form.
But with a change of equipment leading to an upturn in his fortunes, the World No 2 is now targeting another win at the World Championships, which he last lifted in 2013.
The one thing I’m after is the World Championship – not because people write me off, but to prove to myself that I can do it once more and keep going and keep proving to myself that you’re a winner
Asked what keeps him going, the 53-year-old, who has won a record 16 World Championships, told Sky Sports: “I’m after the World No 1.
“I mean the one thing I’m after is the World Championship – not because people write me off, but to prove to myself that I can do it once more and keep going and keep proving to myself that you’re a winner.
“I mean any sport you play, really you want to win, that’s the nature of the beast for me.
“I should imagine if you asked Stuart Pearce or Roy Keane the same question, they were like ‘how can you not want to win?’, this is the way we are.
“And I enjoy it as well – I understand that it’s my job, and when you do your job, you do it the best you can and that’s what I do.”
Taylor admitted the Winter Gardens is his favourite tournament.
“I just love Blackpool for some reason or other – this is like my Las Vagas this is – but I enjoy the venue, I think the venue is my favourite one and I always seem to do well here for some reason or other – it’s weird," he continued.
“Everywhere else I’ve played rubbish this year but everything’s come together now, my equipment’s bang on and everything’s right.”
