Phil Taylor takes aim at world title number 17 as his greatest memory
Coverage underway on Sky Sports Darts and Sky Sports Main Event from 8pm
Tuesday 2 January 2018 00:23, UK
Phil Taylor will take to the darting stage for the final time of his career saying the 17th World Championship title of his career would be his greatest memory.
The Power takes on Rob Cross in a New Year's Day showdown to decide the 2018 champion and the 57-year-old knows the magnitude of what a win for him could yield.
Taylor is playing in his 29th World Championship, having won 16 of the 20 previous finals that he has made, but confirmation last January that 2017 was to be his last year as a professional has meant emotion has followed him throughout his final year.
Live World Darts Championship
It's a year that has had remarkable highs like his sensational World Matchplay title in July and some strange behaviour, he admitted a series of bizarre post-match interviews were a mistake and a result of his bitterness at the end of his career.
But a win in the final would crown his legendary career in the best possible way. "Yes, of course it will be, it will be massive," he said.
"The best thing for me is I've got a day off so I can rest up. I'm shattered, two games on the trot under pressure is hard work so I'm thankful for a day off. Thank you for New Year's Eve!
"It's surreal to be honest with you, it's like I'm not even here. It's like winning the lottery for me, I never expected to beat Gary Anderson, and the way Jamie was playing I thought I was going to be 4-0 down.
"I'm not going to practice, I'm just going to relax and get ready for the next day. Energy is all I need now. It's hard, it really is. I'm still playing okay, but not good enough really - but I can play better.
The 2018 World Championship from Alexandra Palace reaches its dramatic conclusion on New Year's Day with the final live on Sky Sports Darts, coverage gets underway from 8pm
Keep up to date with the news as the PDC celebrates 25 years on Sky Sports, right through to the final on New Year's Day. Get all the latest at www.skysports.com/darts and join in the conversation @SkySportsDarts- don't forget to use #LoveTheDarts
