Dubai: Record 16-time world champion Phil Taylor has vowed to bounce back from “the lowest point” in his career after suffering a second consecutive Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters first round exit at Dubai Tennis Stadium on Thursday.
The 53-year-old Englishman lost 10-5 to compatriot Peter Wright, despite coming back from 2-0 down to lead 5-4. Wright’s 141 finish in the 11th leg proved pivotal and he went on to close the game out with six straight legs on his World Series of Darts debut.
Taylor’s latest defeat comes after much speculation that his 24-year domination of the sport is over, particularly after crashing out in the Premier League Darts semi-finals last week.
“This is my lowest now, this is it, it can’t get any lower than this,” said Taylor. “I’m 53 years old, 54 in August, I’ve done everything. I’m not dedicated, that’s my problem.
“I’m not practicing and not doing it right, but that lad over there [Wright] has made me dedicated. You either go and do your job properly or don’t do it at all. I either have to tell them I’m finished or carry on and do it properly.”
Taylor credited Wright, who has shot up the rankings to feature in this world top-eight event, for inspiring him to turn things around.
“Can I come back and beat all these players? Yes and I will show you. That’s not an idle threat, that’s what I’m going to do. And it’s all thanks to Psychedelic Sid over there,” said Taylor in reference to Wright’s flamboyant dress sense and multi-coloured mohawk haircut.
“Him with his psychedelic shirts and stupid haircuts, I’m going to put it right. People call him a clown, all the players call him a clown.
“I’ve just told him to leave me alone and not speak to me — bog off — I’ll be doing my own thing. He’s the person that’s inspired me now to not just come back, but come back with a vengeance. I know what I’ve got to do, only one person can put it right and that’s me.”
Wright, meanwhile, paid tribute to Taylor and denied that the legend was in terminal decline.
“He’ll definitely bounce back, he’s the best darts player that’s ever lived,” the 44-year-old Scotsman said. “When he goes away, he comes back stronger and stronger and that makes all of us lift our game again, because he keeps coming back and making the game higher.
“That’s why we are here, because of Taylor. Phil Taylor is immense and to beat him in Dubai in that heat, I’m over the moon. But he’ll be back smashing everybody up, you wait.”
Recently crowned Premier League champion Raymond van Barneveld of Holland also made a shock first round exit on Thursday with a 10-5 defeat to England’s Adrian Lewis. The five-time world champion had been expected to shine in Dubai having reached the final of the inuaugural competition here last year.
