“Mentally, he is a fortress” - Rob Cross in absolute awe of Luke Littler's mental strength

Rob Cross has great admiration for Luke Littler’s mental resilience. The former world champion sees that as one of the biggest differences between himself and the current world number one. If he could redo one aspect of his own career, it would be his mindset.

Cross is now in his tenth season as a pro and has enjoyed major success in that time, highlighted by his 2018 world title. Yet the Englishman admits he has often held himself back mentally. He believes that is exactly where Littler sets himself apart from the rest of the field. ““I have been professional now for I think it’s my 10th year. I wish if I could change anything mentally, I wish I could be like that from the first year onwards.”

For Cross, the comparison with Littler is quickly made. ““The difference is we look at Luke Littler. He is the best player in the world. Mentally, he is a fortress.”

According to Cross, the 19-year-old world champion has every right to that status. “He deserves that. Whereas I have been Mr Blobby or Mr Bobby at times. I have been all different stuff through them years.”

Cross has been through a difficult phase recently. For the first time since 2017, he dropped out of the world’s top 20, a sign that his results fell short of what he had grown used to for years.

Still, the Englishman seems to have found the way back up. This season he won Players Championship 22 and reached the quarterfinals of the UK Open. According to Cross, his motivation has especially returned. “At the minute I am ready and willing to take that leap. I want to win.”

The former world champion also believes that the tough moments have made him stronger as a player. “I’ve always been lucky and I have always been good. I’ve never really spent much time out of the top 10 over the last ten years."

Setbacks, he says, are part of a top-level career. “I have been through hard times before. I’ll deal with them. I am pretty resilient I suppose and robust.”

Those very experiences mean Cross is not easily rattled when results dip. ““If things go wrong I am already used to that. That is life. It just comes with it. But it’s how much you want it.”

That’s why he is fully focused on the run-in over the coming months. “I get my head down now and work hard. I put my right foot forward when I come into the backend of the year.”

For Cross, the difference ultimately lies between the ears. “I think it is a want thing with me. When mentally I am not right, I can’t win a raffle or beat Mickey Mouse.”

Right now, though, he feels like his old self again. “I am good at the minute. I am enjoying darts and I want to be here. So why waste it? In a year’s time, I probably won’t want to be here!”