"I want to get to that number one": Cross aiming to challenge Michael Smith with hunger for more major titles

Although they may be partners for England at the upcoming World Cup of Darts, Rob Cross has outlined his intention to dethrone Michael Smith as the world number one.

“I want to win another major this year, another TV title. Another big one this year. I’m telling you now I’m going to win one, not a goal!,” said a defiant Cross to the Daily Star. A former World Champion, World Matchplay winner and a two-time European Championship winner, 'Voltage' has achieved a lot in the game but the status of world ranked number one has so far eluded him.

“My actual goals, I want to get back in the top four. That’s my goal for the end of the year. I want to get back in that top four, establish myself back in there, and if I can do that, then next year I’ll push for number one," he outlines. "That’s where I want to be. But, you’ve got to be close enough. You’ve got to get them wins, those bigger TV tournaments under your belt. If you can win them, that’s what gets you to the top. It allows you to try and pitch for these bigger ones and I want to get to that number one.”

Despite a relatively quiet couple of years for Cross, he is now back enjoying his darts and ready to make an impact in the final stages of the biggest tournaments. “I’m enjoying darts now more than ever. After winning a world title [in 2018] you have to handle the pressure, you have a lot more to learn," he explains. “I actually feel I’ve done that now. I can be myself and hopefully I can perform better and start winning even more.”