‘The mind is willing, the body isn’t’ – Phil Taylor, 64, gives health update after hip surgery and retirement
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PHIL TAYLOR would have no problem if his historic tally of world titles is surpassed – and he reckons youngster Luke Littler has the best chance of achieving that. The Power’s love of the sport has been rekindled this past year by the rivalry between the two Lukes, Littler and world No.1 Humphries.
![[Phil Taylor has rekindled his love with darts]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/c730ae72-8de4-4dcc-947d-2c5ba859a68b.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Prior to that, he had tended to switch off Sky Sports and stay away from something that had ruled his life for four decades. Taylor, who retired from the pro ranks after the 2018 world final, is the standard-bearer with sixteen world crowns – 14 in the PDC and two from the BDO.
![[Luke Humphries and Luke Littler have been going head to head at the top of the darts world this year]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/luke-humphries-england-poses-photograph-946504402_edee95.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Littler, last year’s runner-up, is only 17 years old but is favourite to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy on the third day of the New Year. Asked if his record 16 world titles will remain unmatched, Taylor, 64, replied: “I hope so. You never know. You never know. It wouldn’t bother me if it got beaten.
![[Littler is favourite to win the PDC World Championship]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/editorial-use-no-use-unauthorised-959103484.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
“It can get beaten. If anything Luke has the age on his side. “It’s loads harder now. I probably won 10 world championships with the schedule not half as busy as it is now. “I’ve had more publicity since Luke Littler became world runner-up and won tournaments than when I was winning myself.
“Every time I click on Google News, I’m on it. It’s great.”. Taylor, whose last world triumph came 11 years ago, will be at home tonight as Littler takes on underdog Ian White – 37 years his senior – in round three. He continued: “Luke’s emergence has been absolutely brilliant. I love the way he walks up there. He isn’t interested in money.
