Former world champion admits retirement crossed his mind during turbulent spell, as he praises teenage superstar’s unbreakable mentality.
Rob Cross has conceded that stepping away from darts crossed his mind during a turbulent period in his personal and professional life, but dismissed suggestions that Luke Littler has “messed the game up” .
The 2018 world champion, currently fighting his way back into the top 20, opened up about his struggles in an interview with Oche180. Cross, who has faced a high-profile tax dispute and a divorce in recent years, admitted that without the support of close friends and management, he might have taken an extended break from the sport .
“Maybe I would have had a little bit more time out of the game and not carried on,” Cross revealed, acknowledging the mental toll of his recent dip in form .
However, despite his own hardships, Cross was effusive in his praise for the sport’s current dominant force, Luke Littler. Rather than criticising the 19-year-old’s impact, Cross highlighted the mental resilience that separates the teenager from the rest of the pack.
“I look at Luke Littler. He is the best player in the world,” Cross said. “Mentally, he is a fortress” .
Cross, who has experienced the highs of beating legends like Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor, compared facing Littler to a gruelling tennis match against a prime Van Gerwen. He described the challenge of trying to stay with a player who relentlessly sets a high standard, warning that if you miss your chances, it can become a “runaway or a freight train” .
“If I could change anything mentally, I wish I could have been like that from the first year onwards,” Cross admitted, reflecting on his own career. He noted that while he has been “Mr. Blobby” or inconsistent at times, Littler remains an immovable object .
The 33-year-old, who has recently shown signs of a resurgence by winning Players Championship 22, believes shorter formats offer opportunities to challenge the world number one, even if long-form matches seem almost unwinnable .
“He deserves that [status]. Whereas I have been all different stuff through those years,” Cross concluded, accepting the new reality of a sport now dominated by “The Nuke” .