Rob Cross Sets His Sights on World No. 1 Ranking in Darts
Rob Cross is determined to reclaim the World No. 1 ranking in darts, despite facing a significant financial disparity with rivals Luke Littler and Luke Humphries in the PDC Order of Merit. The 35-year-old darts sensation burst onto the scene with his remarkable World Championship victory in 2018, followed by triumphs in the 2019 World Matchplay and two European Championships.
Currently, Cross finds himself in seventh place on the PDC rankings, with earnings of £509,750—far behind Humphries, who leads with £1,684,750, and Littler, who is close behind at £1,545,500. However, Cross remains undeterred by this financial gap and is confident in his ability to narrow the distance between himself and the top players, starting with the upcoming World Grand Prix.
In an exclusive interview with SportsBoom, Cross shared his thoughts on the importance of achieving the top rank in darts. He stated, "The only thing that matters in the game is getting to number one. If you can’t be number one, then what’s the point? You’re just making the numbers up." He emphasized the significance of holding the top position, saying, "That number one… it’s crucial. It’s important. It’s the biggest thing. But if you’re not number one, you’re not the best at your craft. So, go in there, work a little harder, and get what you want. It’s just a number unless you’re number one."
When asked about his chances of surpassing the two Lukes, Cross expressed optimism: "Yeah, I still think so. I keep paying all these people to help me sort my head out, but there’s no one there to fix it. I’ll keep trying, and I always do. I go out there and wear my heart on my sleeve. Sometimes, I’m my own kryptonite because I put a lot of pressure on myself."
In his latest match at the World Grand Prix, Cross advanced to the next round after a dominant performance against Wessel Nijman. Despite not hitting a single 180, he showcased an impressive 53% success rate on his doubles, finishing with an average of 81.73. Meanwhile, Humphries also secured his place in the next stage by defeating Nathan Aspinall 2-0, delivering a strong performance that included a standout 170 checkout in the second game.
As the competition heats up, all eyes will be on Cross as he strives to close the gap and make a push for the coveted World No. 1 title in darts.
