Phil Taylor has revealed he can no longer continue playing darts after undergoing hip surgery in the summer that has left him in the ‘worst pain ever’. The legendary figure said 2024 would be his final year playing competitively and had hoped to sign off at the World Senior Masters.
However, Taylor has had to withdraw from the event due to injury.
Speaking to GB News earlier this month, Taylor admitted he’s still in pain following a hip operation in the summer.
“I’m struggling a bit with my hip. Scar tissue.
“Everything was going fine, but then I just did a little too much and apparently I’ve torn my scar tissue. So yeah, it’s a bit painful.
“It’s been the worst pain I’ve ever had these last twelve months. Honestly, I’ll be glad when this year is gone.
“Practicing, I’ve been okay, but when you’ve been playing for a few hours there’s this really bad pain in the hip.
“It’s like having toothache and it drives me crazy, it really does.”
The 64-year-old ruled the sport between 1995 and 2013 after winning the PDC World Championship 14 times. He had also dominated the previous years within the BDO system.
Taylor walked away from the PDC tour in 2018, but returned to competitive playing four years later on the seniors tour.
Taylor also previously stated his desire to go out on a high while reflecting on his career.
“It’s been an unbelievable journey over the past 35 years and I’ve loved every minute of it,” Taylor said.
At the height of his powers Taylor claimed every title available to him in both main codes ( PDC and BDO) he also went an incredible 60 consecutive matches without a loss over a four-month period in 2008.
He won a total of 79 PDC Major/premier events and holds multiple records that are unlikely to ever be beaten.
The Stoke thrower is often heralded as the greatest player of all time with the likes of Michael van Gerwen and Luke Littler in the conversation for what may change that debate in future years.
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Images: WSDT
