Cross responds to one-hit wonder criticism: 'Most of it is because of jealousy'

Rob Cross was dumped out of the 2021 PDC World Darts Championship by Dirk van Duijvenbode who continued his brilliant year at the expense of ‘Voltage’.

Cross spoke to Darts World ahead of the Masters admitting that Van Duijvenbode deserved to win but that he is looking forward now.

“Of course I wasn’t happy to lose to Dirk at the Worlds. But fair play to him, he took out the finish in the decider so he deserved it,” said Cross to Darts World.

“I lost to Kim Huybrechts the year before and the draw has not been kind to me for two years now, I know that for sure.

“But there’s no one else for me to blame but myself. I’m a positive character and I will look ahead and not behind me.”

The former World Champion sits fourth in the PDC Order of Merit and he hopes to prove that he belongs in that spot ahead of a big year which will see him defend ranking money from two majors (World Matchplay and European Championship).

“I’ve shown what I can do to win majors and I have to return to that. I feel I’m still fortunate to be World No.4 after the year I had, but the ranking doesn’t lie.” he continued.

“I think I’m more hungry for success than ever before. But talking about it doesn’t win you anything, you need to prove it on the board obviously.”

But with that comes criticism and he simply puts that down to jealousy and that he isn’t too bothered by it at all.

“To be honest I don’t listen to what is said about me. I hear bits and bobs what people tell me but I’m not on social media much at all.

“There’s a lot of people who are quick to slag off players all the time, whether it’s darts, football or Formula One. Lewis Hamilton gets so much stick and he’s been the best driver of all-time!

“I don’t get involved in all that. Most of it is because of jealousy or because someone has lost a bet because of that player.

“All I’m bothered about is playing well, enjoying the game and looking after my family.”