VOLTAGE WINS A THRILLER! Rob Cross wins only his third game at the World Grand Prix, as he beats the tournament favourite Luke Littler 2-1 in sets to secure his place in round two. 📺 bit.ly/WGP24Live #WGPDarts | R1
Rob Cross has long been one of the sport’s
most consistent players. Yet despite a resume that would earn many players
significant reverence, Cross often seems to fly under the radar, or worse, is
overlooked entirely. This was on full display recently at the World Grand Prix
when Cross defeated 17-year-old sensation Luke Littler, in a result that some
described as an "upset."
In reality, there was little shocking about
Cross's victory. He is a former World Champion, World Matchplay winner, and a
man who currently ranks number 4 in the world. The result shouldn't have
surprised anyone, yet Littler's rapid rise and status as one of the tournament favourites
seemed to cast a shadow over Cross’s extensive achievements. Whilst a lot is
being made of Littler losing, should more not be made of Cross’ victory?
This reaction raises an important question:
is Rob Cross too often disrespected and overlooked?
Read also
Rob Cross vs. Luke Littler: Experience
wins out
Luke Littler came into the World Grand Prix
one of the pre-tournament favourites on his debut, riding a wave of momentum
that has seen him become one of the most talked about players in darts, despite
his age. Littler’s talent is undeniable, and his incredible rise to prominence
has been nothing short of remarkable. But when he faced Rob Cross, it was a
reminder that experience still counts for something in darts.
The match itself was a tightly contested
affair, with Cross emerging victorious 2-1 in sets. Littler put up a fight,
starting strong in both the first and second sets, but Cross’s experience and
cool under pressure shone through. In the final set, with seven perfect darts
in a row, Cross delivered a performance worthy of his nickname 'Voltage,'
sending a clear message that he should not be underestimated.
Despite the quality of Cross's play,
headlines afterward focused on the "shock" of Littler’s defeat. Whilst
it was just the second time Cross defeated Littler, why should it be so
shocking for a former world champion, currently ranked in the top four, to
defeat a young up-and-comer?
The 2018 World Championships
To fully appreciate Rob Cross, we need to
revisit his meteoric rise back in 2018. It seems incredible to think that its 6
years since Cross burst onto the scene at the PDC World Championship, defeating
none other than the legendary Phil Taylor in the final to claim the world
title. Not only was this Cross's debut at the World Championship, but his
victory over Taylor, who was competing in his final professional match,
cemented his place in history.
Cross’s performance that year was nothing
short of sensational. In the final, he dismantled Taylor 7-2, a scoreline that
shocked many. For a player in his first World Championship to beat the greatest
darts player of all time in such a decisive fashion should have set Cross up as
a superstar of the sport. And yet, in the years since, his name doesn’t seem to
command the same respect as some of his rivals.
2019 World Matchplay Champion
The following year, Cross added the World
Matchplay title to his growing list of accomplishments. Winning the prestigious
event in 2019 after defeating Michael Smith 18-13 in the final was another huge
feather in his cap. Smith, now a former World Champion, was one of the
sport’s brightest stars even back then, making Cross’s victory all the more
impressive.
The World Matchplay is considered by many
to be the second most prestigious title in darts after the World Championship,
and Cross’s triumph should have solidified his status as one of the elite
players of his generation. But for some reason, the level of recognition he
deserves has often seemed to elude him.
The 2021 European Champion – Beating Michael van Gerwen
In 2021, Cross won the European
Championship for the second time, defeating Michael van Gerwen 11-8 in the
final. To put this in perspective, beating Van Gerwen in a major final is no
small feat. Van Gerwen, one of the most dominant players in darts history, was
still in his prime, yet Cross held his nerve to claim his fourth PDC major
title.
If we compare Cross to other players with
four major titles, it’s clear he deserves more respect. Many players who have
won fewer or an equal number of majors are regularly lauded in the darts
community. Take players like Gary Anderson or Adrian Lewis, who are revered for
their achievements, despite having similarly sized trophy cabinets to Cross.
Yet somehow, Cross seems to lack the same
level of recognition, perhaps because his achievements have come in the shadow
of players like Van Gerwen or Peter Wright, who have captured the imagination
of fans with their flamboyant styles and larger-than-life personalities.
Cross's consistency was on display again in
2023 when he reached the finals of both the Masters and the Grand Slam of
Darts. While he didn’t win either event, finishing as the runner-up in two
prestigious tournaments in a single year speaks to his quality and staying
power. Consistently reaching the latter stages of major tournaments is the mark
of a top-tier player, yet Cross still doesn’t seem to receive the recognition
his performances warrant.
Does it come down to his character?
One theory behind Cross’s lack of
recognition could be his less extravagant personality compared to other stars
in the game. While players like Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright, and even
rising star Luke Littler have cultivated distinct personas that draw fans in,
Cross has always been more about business on the oche. His walk-on song,
"I Don’t Wanna Wait" by David Guetta, might not whip the crowd into
the same frenzy as Van Gerwen’s "Seven Nation Army", but it’s part of
who Cross is: a focused, no-nonsense competitor.
This isn’t to say Cross doesn’t have fans.
He certainly does, but he lacks the massive following of players like Van
Gerwen, Wright, or even the teenage Littler. In a sport where personality and
showmanship can play as big a role as talent, Cross’s quiet demeanour may have
contributed to him being overlooked.
Is Cross Underrated?
Cross’s victory over Gerwyn Price at the US
Darts Masters earlier this year sparked a discussion about how underrated he
is. On the podcast ‘Game On,’ Robert Marjanovic commented, “He’s one of the
most underrated players on the tour. He’s even more underrated than Ian White,
I think. He (White) was underrated, but we talked about him. We spoke highly of
him. It was never surprising when he advanced and all that. But Cross is world
champion! That’s someone you always have to talk about.”
Marijanovic makes a valid point. Cross is a
former world champion, has won multiple majors, and continues to perform at the
highest level. Yet, he’s rarely spoken about in the same breath as Van Gerwen,
Price, or Wright. In fact, when discussing the future of darts, names like Luke
Littler are often mentioned ahead of Cross, despite the fact that Littler,
talented as he is, has yet to accomplish a fraction of what Cross has.
The darts community should give Rob Cross
the respect he has earned. At 34 years old, with a world title, multiple
majors, and a current top-four ranking, Cross has nothing left to prove. His
victory over Luke Littler at the World Grand Prix wasn’t an upset, it was
simply a reminder of his enduring quality.
Littler, undoubtedly, has a bright future
ahead of him, and it’s possible that one day he will join Cross among the ranks
of world champions. But for now, Rob Cross remains one of the sport’s elite
players, and it’s time the darts world gave him the recognition he deserves.
Cross may not be the flashiest player on the tour, but he is one of the most
successful and consistent, and that should be respected.
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Latest comments
- Most excellent news! Cheers, Mr Gurney.MrYnyslas197109-10-2024
- 3 straight finals is better than 1 win and 2 early exits.medinabello04-10-2024
- Agreed! A good move, at last.MrYnyslas197101-10-2024
- Good riddance.thebogeyman01-10-2024
- A very helpful summary for new fans. Many thanks!
UndartedWaters01-10-2024