Phil Taylor is to retire from darts after the 2018 World Championships.
The 56-year-old revealed his intentions last month, and will compete in events around the world throughout 2017 in a year-long swansong. The 16-time World champion is competing in the Premier League throughout spring, but he has revealed his love for the sport has waned in recent times.
BREAKING! Phil Taylor confirms that 2017 will be his final year on the PDC Circuit pic.twitter.com/AXB2Pg1Gi8
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 27, 2017
"The motivation isn't there to keep getting ready for major tournaments now", he told Sky Sports. "It's the dedication and the time away - you have to play in qualifying tournament. It's hard work".
"When you first think about it, you have a lump in your throat... After a couple of weeks, you think; 'No! I'm quite looking forward to this'. I'll spend time with my family and see my grand kids, before I'm too old to do anything with them".
When asked about his favourite moments, the Stoke native revealed that his best memories will come from the World Matchplay in Blackpool. In 23 editions of the event, Taylor won the tournament of 15 occasions, including seven times in a row, from 2008 to 2014.
Taylor has not won the World Championship since 2013. In the following four championships, he has reached the final on one further occasion. In the 2017 Championship, he lost to Raymond van Barneveld in the quarter-finals.
