Cross embraces underdog status as he plots return to PDC elite

ROB CROSS believes being written off could be the perfect recipe for a resurgence.

The world No24 has rediscovered some of his best form this season, winning Players Championship 22 before reaching the final of the Slovak Darts Open.

Cross, 35, endured a disappointing 2025 campaign as he failed to make a major quarter-final for the first time in his career.

But the Kent thrower put that right at this year's UK Open, before narrowly losing 10-9 to James Wade.

Cross insists there is no reason why he cannot climb back into the world's top ten, with relatively little ranking money to defend.

He told Oche180: “We look on previous and I have been in the game for ten years. I have had a couple of strokes of luck.

“But I never really spent much time out of that top 10. Over the last couple of years, I have missed a lot of tournaments.

“I have probably put not much effort in and all. Not being bad to it and saying I wasn’t trying.

“I always give 110 per cent. I was just maybe a bit guilty of trying to prep myself in the right way.”

Voltage reckons getting himself into the right mindset can still bring the best out of his game, despite the emergence of a new generation.

He added: “I think if I do that then I am a top 10 player anyway. The game is changing, the people are getting younger at the top.

“We look at [Gian] Van Veen, Wessel [Nijman] and Josh [Rock} is up there. They are all great players. But I feel when I get in a good rhythm and headspace I can do great things.

“I know I can still win tournaments and perform on that big stage. I will get back there because there is not much I am defending over the next 16 months.

“It has all come off. The next amount I have to defend is the World Championships next year, which is £60,000.

“There is no pressure on me. There is nothing like that. No one expects anything from me which is great. It gives me a little freebie behind the curtain just to keep crunching away.

“I don’t think I will be far off it. It is just a couple of runs and consistency I will be back in that top 10.”

Cross last lifted a major title at the 2021 European Championship, but he has since reached three more finals and remains a threat to anyone on his day.

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning