PHIL TAYLOR has opened up on the intense pain he’s battled over the past year.
The 14-time world darts champion underwent hip replacement surgery in June.
Taylor has since pulled out of the upcoming World Seniors Matchplay in York on medical grounds.
The Power, who won over 200 titles during a glittering three-decade career, retired from professional competition in 2018.
He has since returned on the Seniors tour, but has been plagued by hip issues in recent years.
Taylor admitted: “It’s the worst pain I’ve ever had, the last 12 months.
“Honestly, it’s been a nightmare. I’ll be glad when this year has gone.
“Playing-wise, I’ve been OK, but when you’ve been practising for a couple of hours, then you play the game, you get a really bad ache in your hip.
“It’s like having toothache, it drives you crackers. Anybody who’s had it done will know what I’m on about.”
Despite not playing in York this month, Taylor will be in attendance at the event to meet fans and work as a pundit for TNT.
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He added: “I’m really pleased to still be coming to York.
“I’m looking forward to working with the team at TNT Sports and WSDT over the weekend and meeting the fans.
“The WSDT work tirelessly to put these events on and I’m more than happy to help in any way I can.”
The Power is preparing to leave the Oche behind for good, with his final appearance slated for November in Sunderland.
Taylor has been unable to rekindle the magic of his peak years on the Seniors tour.
Phil Taylor quit his day job in the ceramic industry to become a full-time darts player in 1987 and went on to establish himself as a legend of the sport.
He dominated darts for over two decades, winning 214 professional tournaments – including 85 major titles and a record 16 World Championships.
The Power won his first World Championship in 1990, three years after becoming a professional player, and clinched his second two years later.
He then won eight consecutive world titles from 1995 to 2002.
Among his incredible list of accolades are 16 World Matchplay titles, 11 World Grand Prix titles, five UK Open titles, four European Championship titles and six Grand Slam titles.
Taylor also won six Premier League titles, four Championship League titles, five Desert Classic titles. two US Open titles, a UK Masters title and a World Masters title.
His incredible achievements saw him nominated for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in 2006 and 2010, finishing as runner-up in the latter year.
Taylor won his last World Championship in 2013.
And the Stoke native has been left frustrated that his body is letting him down.
Taylor continued: “It’s horrible, it’s like you’re trying to lift the roof off the house, it’s heartbreaking.
“That’s the worst part, when you’ve got people saying ‘Come on, Phil, you’re better than this’.
“I know I’m better than this but you can’t turn right [due to hip issues].
“It’s hard to get your foot in the right position and turn the body like I used to.
“It feels like someone sticking a knife into you, it’s a weird feeling.”
