Phil Taylor has revealed the exact moment he began to seriously consider retirement from darts, admitting that a changing atmosphere at the World Matchplay made him feel something was no longer right in the sport he had dominated for decades.
The 16-time world champion, widely regarded as one of the greatest darts players of all time, opened up about how a match at the 2013 World Matchplay against Terry Jenkins became a turning point in his legendary career. At the time, Taylor was still performing at an elite level, but something about the environment inside the Winter Gardens in Blackpool left him unsettled.
Speaking about that night, Taylor explained that he had always viewed the World Matchplay crowd as some of the most passionate and knowledgeable darts fans. However, during his match with Jenkins, he noticed a shift in the atmosphere that immediately stood out to him.
“I was playing Terry Jenkins at the World Matchplay – I always thought the crowd at that tournament were the best around,” Taylor said. “They were real darts fans and I looked around during my match with Terry and the atmosphere wasn’t what it used to be.”
It was at that moment that a thought began forming in his mind, one that would eventually lead to the end of one of the most dominant careers in sport. Taylor admitted that he felt uncomfortable with what he was seeing and sensing from the crowd, describing it as a clear sign that things had changed.
“That was the first time I was thinking, ‘this isn’t right and my career is coming to an end’,” he added.
The darts icon went on to reflect on how the sport and its audience had evolved over the years. In his prime, crowds were known for their intense focus on the matches, but by the 2010s, the atmosphere had become more party-like, with fancy dress, drinking, and a louder, more chaotic environment becoming the norm.
Taylor said he was not used to this “new-age crowd” and found it difficult to connect with the changing vibe inside the arena. While many fans embraced the modern darts culture, Taylor felt increasingly detached from it, especially during high-pressure moments in competition.
“I wasn’t used to the sort of new-age crowd of everyone at the bar in fancy dress,” he explained, reflecting on how different things had become compared to earlier in his career.
That feeling of disconnection played a major role in his decision-making process. Although he continued competing at the highest level for several more years, including winning more major titles, the 2013 World Matchplay moment stayed with him as a mental marker that the end was approaching.
Taylor eventually retired from the professional tour in 2018 after the World Championship final, closing the chapter on a career that included 16 world titles and 16 World Matchplay victories. He remains one of the most decorated athletes in darts history, with a legacy that helped transform the sport into a global spectacle.
Despite stepping away from full-time competition, Taylor has occasionally returned to play in senior events and exhibition matches. However, he has repeatedly acknowledged that the physical demands of the modern game, combined with changes in the sport’s culture, made it increasingly difficult to continue at the elite level.
Looking back, the World Matchplay moment in 2013 stands out as a quiet but significant turning point. It wasn’t a dramatic defeat or a sudden drop in form that pushed him toward retirement, but rather a subtle change in feeling—one that only a seasoned champion like Taylor could fully recognise.
Now retired from professional darts, Taylor’s reflections offer a rare insight into how even the greatest sporting careers can be shaped not just by results, but by atmosphere, emotion, and the changing identity of the game itself.
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