PHIL TAYLOR hopes that his victory in the PartyBets.com Grand Slam of Darts will silence his critics.
Taylor claimed his first televised title since May with an 18-11 win over Andy Hamilton at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall.
He proved to be the champion of champions in the 32-man tournament involving players from the PDC and WDF systems by claiming the inaugural title.
However, he admitted that it was the prestige of winning the tournament and silencing the critics who suggested his best days were behind him following an indifferent year - rather than the £80,000 winner's cheque - which had motivated him in the event.
"It means so much to me and I'm absolutely delighted," said Taylor. "They can't take it away from me - I'm the first name on the trophy and if I never win it again I'm still there, the first.
"It means a lot to me. It's not the money, it's the winning, the prestige and it shuts a few of the doubters up who have been knocking me over the past few months.
"As soon as I start losing they jump on me straight away, but that's just a part of my life.
"I know who the knockers are, and they've done me a favour. They've made me stand up and get on the practice board and made me a winner again.
"It's nice to win again, and I thought the first ten or 15 legs of the final were some of the best ever in such a big game.
"This is one of the biggest tournaments we've got. There was the best players in the world, who have qualified through being the best.
"The standard has been fantastic and some new players have emerged to the general public and are coming through now."
Taylor revealed that he has consulted a sports psychologist since losing in the first round of the SkyBet World Grand Prix in October.
He has also redoubled his efforts on the practice board, and admits he is back on form ahead of next month's Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.
"I'm dedicated now and will be for the next five years at least," he said. "That's the difference, I've been putting the hours in.
"I've got a sports psychologist now and he's been absolutely fantastic. He's pointed out a few of the silly things I've been doing wrong and I can't fault him.
"It's like a game of snooker, sometimes while you're involved you don't see the shots like when you're sat on the outside."
Taylor will compete in the PartyPoker.net German Darts Championship this coming weekend, as he seeks to head into the World Championship in top form.
"I'll get back on the practice board, have some exhibitions and the event in Germany next weekend, then I'll have a break," he added.
"I've been invited to the BBC Sports Personality awards and that's me done then ready for the World Championship."
Click here for the PartyBets.com Grand Slam of Darts NetZone - including results, match reports and links to highlights and photo galleries from the tournament