PHIL TAYLOR has spoken of his pride of winning his 16th World Championship title.
The Stoke legend's 7-4 win over Michael van Gerwen in Tuesday's Ladbrokes World Darts Championship final has seen him extend his record as the sport's most successful player.
Taylor's success led to congratulations from around the world, including Rugby World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward, and he admitted: "The reaction has been amazing since and it's still sinking in.
"I'm incredibly proud to have won my 16th World Championship.
"The atmosphere was very special and I loved every minute of the final because the crowd were fantastic and I think we both fed off that."
Taylor will enjoy a rest during January before returning to action in the Betfair World Cup of Darts and McCoy's Premier League Darts next month - and he is relishing the challenge.
"The players now are so good and they're hitting 180s and nine-darters for fun, so this year's going to be a great challenge," added Taylor.
"Michael's obviously done brilliantly well and he's going to be at the top for a long time. His ability is incredible and he's doing things I've never seen from players, and he's still improving.
"He'll learn from the final and I know he'll be back bigger and better. At one point I thought I wouldn't win a set but when I sensed a weakness in Michael I stepped in."