'Even when you’re naturally talented, you've still got to put the effort in': Taylor advises Lewis to play as much as possible in comeback

Sixteen-time World Champion Phil “The Power” Taylor sat down at the MODUS Super Series to give his thoughts on the return of Adrian Lewis, a player he knows better than most. The two-time World Champion, who has stepped back into competitive action, has always been close to Taylor — as a rival, protégé, and World Cup partner.

When Taylor first heard Lewis was competing again, his reaction was simple as he spoke to Tungsten Talk for MODUS Super Series: “I was pleased. I’ve missed him, not watching him on TV to be honest, so I was looking forward to seeing him. Obviously it hasn’t gone his way today, but never mind – he’ll be alright, he’ll come back again. It’s always going to take a bit of time getting back into it.”

Taylor stressed that match fitness is crucial: “When I was playing with him, he was very competitive. He was playing week in and week out, so he was what you call match-fit. At the minute he isn’t, so he’s got to build that fitness back up again, get used to playing longer games against people who can really play. People aren’t frightened of him at the minute.”

Asked whether the Super Series is the right environment for Lewis, Taylor was clear: “I think Adrian should enter as many competitions as he can. Get his confidence back up, get his scoring power back – because Adrian’s a big scorer. You can practise in your living room, but it’s not the same. In competition, that’s when you need to hit the double or the 180 at the right time.”

Lewis reminded fans of that ability during the event with a trademark maximum. Taylor smiled: “Adrian’s a good scorer, and he could finish as well on his day. Every player has good days and bad days, but if you catch Adrian on song, he’s phenomenal. I’ve played him when he’s averaged 110 against me, and I’ve still beaten him, but that’s the kind of player he is.”

From Protégé to World Champion

Taylor first came across Lewis through his stepfather, Sammy Wright, a county player: “Sammy was left-handed, very similar to Adrian, great company, always laughing and joking. He didn’t have the backing Adrian got though. Adrian’s mum backed him, paid for him to go to tournaments. I was asked to practise with Adrian, and we just hit it off. He was a really natural thrower. But even when you’re naturally talented, like a Paul Gascoigne or a George Best, you’ve still got to put the effort in.”

Many saw Lewis as Taylor’s protégé, much like Taylor had been under Eric Bristow. Taylor explained his role: “I didn’t really teach him a lot – mainly practised with him, showed him different finishes. Eric taught me that. The main thing I’d tell any pro is: practise, but also make sure you get your rest. Rest is as important as practise – like boxing or bodybuilding. If you’re tired, your eyes are tired, and you won’t play well. You’ve got to live a bit of a selfish, boring life, really.”

Taylor knew Lewis had the ability to go all the way when he beat him for the first time in a small Blackpool event. “I’d beaten him every day in practise, but that day he played really well and beat me. Before that he didn’t have the bottle, the belief. But when he did that, I thought, fair play, now push forward.”