Rob Cross hinted that he could soon decide to retire from darts after winning his first-round match at the World Grand Prix. The former world champion battled past Wessel Nijman in a gruelling contest to maintain his hopes of winning the tournament. It went down to a deciding leg and Cross prevailed under pressure, wiring in a match dart at bull to secure a narrow victory.
It has been seven years since Voltage secured his only World Darts Championship triumph, beating Phil Taylor against the odds in the final. Despite achieving glory at Alexandra Palace in 2018, he has never reached the summit of the Order of Merit. Reflecting on that fact after his victory over Nijman, Cross admitted that it has been hard for him to accept.
“I think when we look at rankings, number one matters in the world,” he told Darts Now. “Number two, three, four… I’ve been all the other numbers but never one. If you’re number two, it’s rubbish anyway.
“You’ve always got a better man in front of you, but yeah, it’s a great achievement. I think there’s a lot of boys out there who chase a number. I’m not really like that, unless I was number one and I was the best in the business.”
When it was put to Cross that he would still have plenty of time to achieve that goal before retiring, he replied: “Not as long as what you think!”
He was then asked if he would be disappointed if he walks away from darts without ever being at the top of the rankings.
“Maybe personally, but a great man said to be once that an opportunity will never pass you by if it was meant to be and it’s very much like that,” said Cross.
“I’m going to take those words and look at that. If I never make it, then so be it, it wasn’t destined to be. At the same time, it doesn’t stop you from trying in the middle so just go out, give your best and you never know.”
Those competing at the World Grand Prix will need to deal with the unique format, which forces players to begin their legs by hitting a double.
Luke Littler is among those to have complained about the format, saying over the weekend: “I’ll be honest, I didn’t like it last time. I didn’t like the double start. It’s one of the toughest tournaments to win.
“There is the World Championship, the Matchplay, the Premier League. But the double start if you don’t get off, then you’re in trouble. I can’t say I really practice the double start often but obviously leading up to it, I think I’ll have to just to get used to it.”