"I've probably got to pull my finger out, put a bit more practice in": Rob Cross admits motivation is a current problem

Despite the peaceful surroundings of Warwickshire’s lakes at the Target Sports Fishing Championship for the Willow Foundation, Rob Cross was in a reflective mood—not just about his day’s angling misfortunes, but about the state of his darts career.

Cross, who’s been a familiar face at the charity event for years, was candid from the outset: “Do you know, I've done it for many years now. I think it's probably my sixth or seventh attempt. Yeah, never really done any good—I think I've finished third. But look, it's a special place. It's a great day out, you come and see some great people, and it's just nice to be part of it, I suppose.”

The former World Champion might have been laughing about dropping his water bottle into the lake. "I was just multitasking, weren’t I? I’m a bit all fingers and thumbs, and I managed to drop my bottle of water in. I think, where I weren’t catching at the time, I was trying to knock the fish on their heads, you know?” — but when it came to his darts, there was little disguising his frustration.

“I don’t know. I sort of feel... the motivation’s a problem for me at the minute, you know?” he admitted. “I’ve had a bit of time out. I think I’ve played four or five times in seven weeks, and I felt good for the Matchplay, actually. Managed to do a bit of practice and stuff. Concentration’s probably a little bit of an issue, though. I was 6–2 up, averaging 108, 109, and then it was like switching the tap off. So yeah, I need to correct that really, going into the rest of the year from September onwards. But yeah, motivation’s got to change. I’ve probably got to pull my finger out, put a bit more practice in, get a bit more keen—more passionate about the game.”

The early exit from Blackpool still stings. Cross believes he let the match slip away from a strong position against Dirk van Duijvenbode, despite usually thriving in longer formats. “Do you know, I really enjoy a longer format. If anything, I thought, where I started, if I was going to blow it, I’d blow it at the start—and I was strong at the start. Managed to go in 3–2, then I was 6–2 up in the next session, and I think I walked off at 6–4 or whatever.

“But I expected to get stronger like I normally do, and it just wasn’t meant to be. I sort of lost concentration, got a bit weaker. I had one moment where I missed three at 32, busted the score, and it put a nail in the coffin for me—being brutally honest. But look, that’s darts. If I don’t work hard enough... I’m not the most natural player out of all of us up there. Some people probably wouldn’t have to pick a dart up for a month and still come back and be very decent. So yeah, I need to put that work in.”

With key events on the horizon—including two majors in October and November, followed by the World Championship—Cross knows something has to change. And he’s already begun. “For me, I’m back on a fitness regime. I’m out walking every day, doing a bit of exercise, getting a bit of air in the lungs. I think that’s really important for me. I’ve lost a bit of weight recently, so I feel a little bit better.

“That’s what it comes down to for me—I’ve got to feel well in myself. If I don’t feel well in myself, it reflects in my darts. So, I’ll work harder on myself, start practising, carry on with the fitness, and just keep getting my steps in.”

While his own form may be stuttering, Cross is full of praise for his fellow professionals. Among them, 23-year-old Josh Rock, whose performances at the Matchplay and World Cup caught widespread attention.

“I don’t think [getting over the line] is an issue. He’s a class act. He’s been playing well, probably like the best player in the world at times. This year, over the last five months, he’s been purely incredible. It’s great to be around and great to see, and he’s a great lad. What I’d say is, I don’t think he needs to worry about the winning side of it. The more you worry about winning, the more you create a problem. I think he just needs to carry on doing what he’s doing, playing as well as he is, and enjoying it. The wins will come for him.

“He’s really showing his worth at the minute—and rightfully so. For the future, don’t stress about it. If it doesn’t happen, come back bigger and stronger next time. I thought he had a great Matchplay last week. I watched his games. My boy always supports him, sometimes a little too much! He’s doing all the right things, making all the right noises in the right places, and his game’s really come together. Whatever he’s been doing at home, just keep doing that. Don’t change it. The wins will come. He’s been incredible this year.”

Another standout performer in Blackpool was James Wade—a player Cross feels has long gone underappreciated. “I would, 100%. James when he wants to do something he just goes and does it. Look at his Matchplay last week. He was absolutely blinding, amazing. His averages, his double hitting, he’s always been a great double hitter. But I think his scoring last week... he’s probably been playing well for a fair bit of time now. I think he’s overlooked sometimes on the Pro Tours. If you’re not in the Premier League or the big events like the World Series of Darts, people don’t see you as much. So, for him to come in last week and show everyone how well he’s been playing—credit to him."
“He’s a lovely guy and, look, an incredible dart player when he’s on and so tough to beat.”