Cross wishes he had Littler’s “fortress” mentality from day one

ROB CROSS wishes he had Luke Littler’s “fortress” mentality from the start of his career.

The former world champion admits he would change his approach if he could go back to his first year as a professional.

Cross, 35, believes the world No1’s strength between the ears is one of the biggest reasons behind his incredible rise and says he has spent years battling his own confidence.

The Hastings thrower has endured the toughest spell of his tenure on the oche after dropping out of the world’s top 20 for the first time since 2017.

But Cross has bounced back in style this season by winning Players Championship 22 and reaching the quarter-final of the UK Open.

Cross insists he is now in the right place to push on again and revealed his hunger to win has returned.

He said: “I have been professional now for I think it’s my 10th year. I wish if I could change anything mentally, I wish I could be like that from the first year onwards.

“The difference is we look at Luke Littler. He is the best player in the world. Mentally, he is a fortress.

“He deserves that. Whereas I have been Mr Blobby or Mr Bobby at times. I have been all different stuff through them years.

“At the minute I am ready and willing to take that leap. I want to win.”

Cross reckons his experience of dealing with setbacks has made him stronger.

He added: “I’ve always been lucky and I have always been good. I’ve never really spent much time out of the top 10 over the last ten years.

“I have been through hard times before. I’ll deal with them. I am pretty resilient I suppose and robust.

“If things go wrong I am already used to that. That is life. It just comes with it. But it’s how much you want it.

“I get my head down now and work hard. I put my right foot forward when I come into the backend of the year.

“I think it is a want thing with me. When mentally I am not right, I can’t win a raffle or beat Mickey Mouse.

“I am good at the minute. I am enjoying darts and I want to be here. So why waste it? In a year’s time, I probably won’t want to be here!”

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning