Phil Taylor forced to pull out of swansong tournament as 16-time world champion officially retires

He won a total of 79 PDC premier events in his career and holds a number of records that are unlikely to ever be beaten.

Taylor walked away from the PDC tour in 2018, but returned to competitive playing four years later on the seniors tour.

He revealed earlier this year that 2024 would be his final year playing competitively and had hoped to sign off at the World Senior Masters next month.

However, Taylor has had to withdraw from the event due to injury.

Speaking earlier this month, Taylor admitted he's still in pain following a hip operation in the summer.

Taylor said: "I'm struggling a bit with my hip. Scar tissue.

"Everything was going fine, but then I just did a little too much and apparently I've torn my scar tissue. So yeah, it's a bit painful.

"It's been the worst pain I've ever had these last twelve months. Honestly, I'll be glad when this year is gone.

"Practicing, I've been okay, but when you've been playing for a few hours there's this really bad pain in the hip.

"It's like having toothache and it drives me crazy, it really does."

Taylor also previously stated his desire to go out on a high while reflecting on his career.

"It's been an unbelievable journey over the past 35 years and I've loved every minute of it," he added.

"I'll always love performing to the best of my ability, but time waits for no man and I know now is the right time to step away from the tour.

"I'm going to be working just as hard as I always have to make sure I give the fans what they want and go out on top."

At the height of Taylor's powers, he went an incredible 60 consecutive matches without a loss over a four-month period in 2008.

He is heralded as the greatest darts player of all time with the likes of Michael van Gerwen and Luke Littler leading the next generation.