CROSS SAYS HARD TO STOP LITTLER
14/01/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
By Phil Lanning
EXCLUSIVE
ROB CROSS admits that it will be tough to stop the Luke Littler “juggernaut” now he’s World Champion.
The World No.4 is convinced that the teen sensation will continue to grow and be an even bigger force in 2025.
Cross, 35, lines-up in the Bahrain Masters next week when 17-year-old Littler is announced as reigning World Champion for the first time.
He said: “I’ve got nothing but admiration for the Luke. I think we’ve all run out of ways to describe what he’s done for the sport.
“He’s done incredible things on the oche. We’ve never seen this in darts before.
“People used to talk about my World Championship win on my debut as a big story. That has been eclipsed by Luke totally. Fair play to him. He’s taken it all in his stride.
“I think the biggest thing now for us all is how to stop him. It’s going to be like trying to halt a juggernaut.
“The more belief he gets, the harder it gets. He won’t win everything, a bit like last year. There’s no doubt it’s up to the likes of Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, me and a few others to stop him.
“The only time Luke Littler has looked beatable is in the early stages of tournaments over a short format, like I did the Grand Prix.
“He’s shown so much resilience lately though. It’s going to be fascinating as the year goes on.”
Cross suffered an early exit at the Worlds to pal Scott Williams but wants a strong comeback at the Premier League.
He added: “I’m excited to get to Bahrain and get winning again.
“The Worlds was a tough draw to play my mate. It was a rubbish night, I didn’t get going at all. Very frustrating. But that’s gone now.
“I want to get going and get to the Premier League to show what I can do. And try and stop the boy Littler!”
Images by Taylor Lanning.
