Phil “The Power” Taylor enjoyed one of the most dominant careers in the history of darts, winning 16 World Championships and setting records that may never be broken. Yet, among his countless matches, one stands out as a unique piece of history — the only time he faced a female player on a televised stage. That moment came against Deta Hedman at the 2022 World Seniors Matchplay, and it remains a fascinating glimpse into how the sport continues to evolve.
The match between Taylor and Hedman was more than just a first-round clash — it was symbolic. Two legends from different darts generations went head-to-head in a game that showcased the inclusivity and growth of the sport. Taylor, long retired from the PDC main circuit, was testing himself again in the seniors’ setup, while Hedman, one of the most decorated women’s players of all time, seized the chance to compete on equal footing with the men.
On stage, the contest started evenly. Both players traded breaks of throw early on, with Taylor finding his rhythm to edge ahead 3–2. Hedman battled hard and produced flashes of the scoring power that had defined her career, but Taylor’s experience proved decisive. The 16-time world champion eventually pulled clear to win 8–4, finishing with a 75 average to Hedman’s 70. While the numbers weren’t record-breaking, the occasion carried far more importance than the statistics suggested — it was a meeting of icons, not just competitors.
Interestingly, it wasn’t their first encounter. More than a decade earlier, Hedman had famously beaten Taylor in an exhibition match in Oxfordshire. On that night, she delivered brilliant finishes of 162 and 140 to shock the darts world, proving that women could hold their own against even the greatest players. That victory remains one of the defining moments of Hedman’s long career, and the televised rematch in 2022 brought that story full circle.
Taylor, reflecting on women’s darts in recent years, has repeatedly spoken about his belief that a woman could one day win the PDC World Championship. He has praised the emergence of talents such as Beau Greaves and Fallon Sherrock, who have raised the bar for women’s performance levels on the big stage. “Do I think a lady will win it? Yes, I think it will probably happen,” Taylor once said. “Beau Greaves is setting the standard — if she can take her floor form to the stage, she could win it. It would be great for the sport.”
That optimism has proven well-founded. The rise of players like Greaves, Sherrock, and Lisa Ashton has transformed the women’s game, inspiring a new generation of players and fans. Hedman’s clash with Taylor, viewed through that lens, represents more than a one-off exhibition of skill — it’s part of darts’ ongoing story of inclusivity and change.
For Taylor, it was another milestone in a career filled with unforgettable moments. For Hedman, it was another chance to show the world that women belong on the same stage as the best male professionals. And for the sport as a whole, it served as a reminder that darts is evolving — and that the future could easily see women competing regularly against men on television, not as exceptions, but as equals.
That single televised match between Phil Taylor and Deta Hedman may not have been the most statistically dazzling of Taylor’s career, but its importance goes far beyond the scoreboard. It stands as a symbol of how far the game has come — and how much further it can still go.
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