Phil Taylor's announced return to the oche may be just the opening chapter of something far bigger, according to Max Hopp. The German professional believes the 16-time world champion could be plotting a series of high-profile matches, including a potential blockbuster against Luke Littler.
Taylor's comeback begins with a joint start alongside Adrian Lewis at the MODUS Super Series in late November, but Hopp, speaking to SPORT1, sketched a scenario that would bridge two generations of darts. First, Taylor could rekindle his legendary rivalry with Raymond van Barneveld. After that, Hopp sees a meeting with Littler as a real possibility. "I think once he's loosened up against Barney, he'll challenge Luke Littler for a big match. That could be billed as 'the GOAT versus the Nuke'," Hopp said. He stressed that this is not an official challenge to Littler yet, but rather his personal view of where Taylor's comeback could lead.
Hopp's thinking starts with a special anniversary. Next year will mark exactly two decades since the legendary 2007 World Championship final, where Taylor and Van Barneveld delivered one of the most famous deciders in darts history. Hopp believes this occasion could be a fitting trigger for more meetings between the two rivals, especially given Van Barneveld's comments about the approaching end of his career. "Next year is their 20-year anniversary, and Barney has also said he won't be around much longer," Hopp noted. He can well imagine "that the two of them have planned one or two Taylor vs. Barney showdowns and that this is one of the reasons why he's picking up the darts again." Whether such appearances will actually happen remains open, but for Hopp, the anniversary is a plausible explanation for why Taylor is training regularly again and stepping back into the spotlight.
Regardless of potential rematches, Hopp trusts the Englishman to produce competitive performances, citing Taylor's drive and well-known willingness to work hard on his game. "I think he's still capable of a lot. Taylor has always been a workhorse," said Hopp. He considers it unlikely that Taylor would return to the stage without proper preparation, believing the record world champion has been working on his form longer than the public assumes. "He wouldn't do it if he didn't feel ready. He's been training a bit longer than we all think." Hopp also reported information from Taylor's circle: "I've heard from reliable sources that he's been putting in an hour here and there in recent weeks."
Current developments in the sport may also have influenced Taylor's motivation. Hopp suspects the former dominant force has been watching closely: "I think he's seen a lot of matches and also this hype around Luke Littler." Beyond sporting ambition, Hopp sees a personal element at play. After decades on the biggest stages, that feeling can be missed once a career ends. Hopp likens Taylor's situation to retirement after a long working life — at some point the familiar task is gone, and with it perhaps the special buzz of a stage appearance. "At some point you just need that feeling of being on stage again." From his encounters with Taylor, Hopp senses the return could also satisfy a desire for the right farewell, suggesting Taylor might need it "to find a final, conciliatory closure for himself at some point."
First, though, Taylor heads to Portsmouth. From 23.11.2026 to 28.11.2026, the 66-year-old will play the International Pairs Tournament with Adrian Lewis for England. It will be his first competitive appearance since the World Seniors Championship 2024, where the 16-time world champion lost 2-3 in round 1 to Germany's Manfred Bilderl. For Hopp, this return alone is welcome news. "First and foremost, darts fans can be happy to see Phil Taylor again. Many have wanted that." Whether it leads to further marquee clashes may also depend on how Taylor performs in his comeback.
