EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW | Rob Cross back raring to go after health scare: "Two weeks ago I wasn't good"

Another German hopeful had to bid farewell to the Munich crowd at the German Darts Grand Prix 2025 on Sunday afternoon. Ricardo Pietreczko was beaten 4-6 by former world champion Rob Cross in a close match. He was clearly relieved in an exclusive interview with DartsNews.com immediately after the match.

"I think having the support the pressure is on Pietreczko there, I feel for him there as he has to deliver but at the same time pressure is on me up there. Really enjoyable nice to win," he said to DartsNews.com.

Cross, who had to withdraw from his participation in the last European Tour event in Riesa due to illness, returned to the PDC stage full of euphoria. "I'm enjoying darts at the minute, couple of weeks ago was a little bit different for me but at the minute I'm really enjoying playing."

Asked about his forced break, Cross said that he was feeling much better again: "I feel much better now, two weeks ago I wasn't good but that's just life. We get sickness, problems. I've been very grateful that it's been a quick fix. I'm on some tablets at the minute and they're making me feel much better. So very grateful to come out in these great places and still perform."

Unlike many other players, Cross has no problem with the whistles and boos from the audience: "I enjoy it. Sometimes I can enter stages and be a bit too relaxed. Sometimes you need that spring in your step. You need something to wake you up and get the adrenaline out."

After Pietreczko had taken the 2-1 lead early in the match, Cross equalized with a 110 checkout after 15 darts to make it 2-2. Voltage then went into turbo mode and took a 4-2 lead with a 100 checkout over tops-tops and a strong 168 set-up for 36 legs. "That was very important in the game, if you're hitting two 50's and two 100's in six it's maximum pressure on your opponent. Just really glad to get through, if I get the game right this week I win it."