LUKE NO FURTHER
Phil Taylor, 64, reveals Luke Littler has asked him to be his mentor as darts icon reveals he’ll impose PlayStation ban
The Power responded to claims that he may return to action in 2025
PHIL TAYLOR claims he has been offered the chance to mentor Luke Littler.
But the Power reckons the 17-year-old superstar is so good that he could earn enough money from throwing darts to retire – by the time he is 25!
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Littler – who lost in the 2024 world darts final to Luke Humphries – grew up watching Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld battle each other in thrilling fashion on the PDC circuit.
And according to Taylor, the Warrington-born star’s camp have reached out to him for advice and tips on staying at the top.
Taylor, the 16-time world darts champion, told talkSPORT: “With young Luke, they have asked me if I would sit down with him. I said: ‘Of course, I will.’
“But I would have to go and live with him for a few days, see what he is all about.
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“I know young Luke, we have the same sponsor. If I spent time with him, I would see how he practises, see how he eats and exercises, how he does anything.
“If he’s playing on those PlayStations, I would give him a set time, an hour a night or something, and then get ready for the next day.
“Make sure you aren’t staying up late and wake up in the morning and you are shattered.
“I have seen that many, many times – players who will have a drink afterwards, they get into the drinking and then they aren’t getting to bed until 1am or 2am.”
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Following his incredible run at Ally Pally over Christmas and the New Year, the oche teenager has gone on to win the Premier League and bank more than £700,000 in prize money.
Taylor reflected: “Young Luke could probably retire when he is 25 or 30-years-old!”
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Taylor had been due to play next month at the World Seniors Masters Darts event in Sunderland – it was billed as his last-ever professional event after 37 years of competitive action.
Yet he has withdrawn from his swansong appearance following hip surgery – his team say it is simply too painful and difficult for him to stand up on an oche for hours.
There had been rumours he might do a U-Turn and return for 2025 but that has now been quashed after the operation.
The former world No.1 said: “I’m retired now. Properly retired. I will do a little bit of personal appearances, some meet-and-greets. Sign autographs.
“My eyes started going a few years ago. So I had a lens replacement. Then my hips went.
“It’s the travelling, the amount of tournaments on the PDC is crazy. You are literally away from home 4-5 days a week, every week. It’s that busy.
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“It’s great for earning money. But it’s not great on your family and on your body.
“In my mind, I am still 18. But my body is about 90 – that’s the problem!”
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