Thursday 23 April 2015 07:12, UK
Phil Taylor insists the best era of his career is still to come, despite his unrivalled list of achievements in darts.
The 54-year-old is considered the greatest player in the sport’s history, with 16 world titles to his name along with a variety of trophies during a dominant spell that spanned over 20 years.
But Taylor has slipped from the summit in recent times due to the emergence of new world No 1 Michael van Gerwen, while Gary Anderson prevented ‘The Power’ from regaining his world crown at Alexandra Palace in January.
Away from the oche, Taylor has endured personal heartache, and admits the loss of his mother has dominated his thoughts.
Even with that mental anguish, the Stoke man has shown flashes of brilliance on the big stage, inflicting a 7-2 thumping on a helpless Dave Chisnall in last week's Premier League meeting.
He admits this year's form has been ordinary by his own lofty standards but, instilled with fresh desire, Taylor believes a golden period still lies ahead.
Asked to assess his season, he told Sky Sports: “It’s been mediocre really, about 50 or 60 per cent. I’m going to improve now over the next few months.
“I said to (PDC boss) Barry Hearn that my practice is coming on lovely, everything is perfect. I’ve had a few personal problems with my mum dying, so I’ve had to get through that. It’s been a bit of a mind thing for me at the minute, but it’s all coming together now.
“I think the best of my career is yet to come. One hundred per cent I’ve got the same hunger. I’m dedicated and I’m going to be more dedicated. That’s all there is to it and that’s what I’m going to do.”
I think the best of my career is yet to come. One hundred per cent I’ve got the same hunger.
Sitting in fourth place in the Premier League, Taylor must scrap hard to stay in the hunt for the title – a crown he has lifted on six occasions.
His icy composure could be tested in one of the hottest battles for a play-off spot, where even one defeat could derail his campaign.
“Well you’ve got no choice now, you’ve got to perform,” said Taylor.
“I got a nice little three points last week. That’s perfect for me and I shall dig in again and try and get another two points. My form is lovely, my health is right, so I have got no excuses.”
The next man to test Taylor’s resolve will be Adrian Lewis, his former protégé, and previous meetings between the pair have often been fiery and frenetic.
“I hope it’s going to be a cracker,” said Taylor, who swept Lewis aside in a 7-2 victory on week two.
“Adrian is playing okay, I’m playing okay, so it’s lining up to be a good game. You never know, you just don’t know on the night. Hopefully it will be a cracker.”
The vibrant crowds at this year’s tournament are yet to be treated to a nine-darter, but Taylor is predicting a flurry of perfect legs in the closing weeks.
Never satisfied with his own efforts, Taylor hopes to win even more respect – and a huge cash prize – with another remarkable feat.
He said: “I have asked Barry to put a million pounds up for anybody who does three nine-darters on one game. He’s looking into it, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he does do it.
“You know what Barry is like, he likes a bit of razzmatazz. That is one of the reasons why I’m practicing harder.”
Watch this Thursday's Premier League matches in Cardiff on Sky Sports 1, from 7pm.
