Retiring Phil Taylor can ensure it is all about him at World Darts Championship

Phil Taylor is hoping for a 17th world title and animosity could stir up again if he meets old foe Michael van Gerwen in the final

Great sportsmen write their own scripts but they rarely have much input when it comes to the final scene. Donald Bradman, Muhammad Ali and Usain Bolt are among those whose goodbyes were accompanied by the strange sensations of failure and anticlimax. With a few exceptions, the sporting gods don’t do sentiment. So when the World Darts Championship begins on Thursday night at Alexandra Palace in London, one topic will dominate conversation: whether Phil Taylor can end on the biggest high of his 30-year career.

The 57-year-old will retire after the world championship. He has won it 16 times and, though he keeps saying he will enjoy his farewell party come what may, he is fooling nobody. In December 2012, when Sir Alex Ferguson discussed retiring with his wife Cathy, he had one stipulation: “I really need to go out a winner.” And so he did. These people do not think like us. It’s not the taking part that counts; it’s the taking apart of their opponents. It’s hard to imagine Taylor, the ultimate winner, accepting anything other than lifting the Sid Waddell Trophy on New Year’s Day.

Related: Michael van Gerwen beats Gary Anderson to win PDC World Darts Championship

Related: Phil Taylor: ‘Players today are different. What are you on about? Snapchat?’ | Donald McRae

Related: Michael van Gerwen ready for another tilt at PDC world darts championship

Continue reading...