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Taylor to Power on after 16th world title

Phil Taylor is a 16-time world champion © PA Photos

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Phil Taylor has clarified recent comments made over his future, insisting he will play on after his 16th world title success on Tuesday.

Taylor hinted at retirement following his semi-final win over Raymond van Barneveld, which saw the two men become embroiled in a heated exchange after shaking hands.

An "embarrassed" Taylor said he might give up the sport he has largely dominated since his first PDC World Championship win in 1995, but The Power revealed on Wednesday that he regretted making such an emotional threat.

"You say things on the spur of the moment sometimes and regret it later. I'm not going to walk away, no," Taylor told Sky Sports News.

"I practice seven days a week, and out of seven days I probably enjoy one. The rest are a struggle. It's like any job, it's hard work and as you get older it's more difficult.

"But I won't let it get me down, I'll keep going, at least until I'm 55, and then let's see after that."

Eric Bristow, a friend of Taylor's and five-time BDO world champion, has predicted the 53-year-old will never reach the landmark of 20 world crowns, claiming The Power may only win one more.

"How many are left in me? One! I won't argue with Eric," Taylor agreed.

One reason for that modest prediction might be Tuesday's beaten finalist Michael van Gerwen, who played his part in a high quality showdown that ended 7-4. Taylor predicts the youngster can become a monster of the sport.

"He's extraordinary. He's like Jonah Lomu was to rugby. If he can keep on the right track, keep practising, he is one hell of a player.

"It's easy to get to finals but it's more difficult stepping over the mark. I would say he can win four or five, but he has to put the money in the bank and ignore it."

Van Gerwen had been nursing a sore ankle throughout the week leading up to the final, and Taylor revealed it helped him stay positive despite Van Gerwen's 4-2 lead in the contest.

"I kept thinking, 'This is his first world final so he must be nervous', and I noticed his back leg kept lifting - he was throwing off one leg. So I just kept putting pressure on him.

"I'm the proudest man in England at the moment, it's the best feeling in the world and I'm over the moon."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.