"Personally I think the Masters is a stupid tournament": Cross not a fan of The Masters, but values World Series preparation

Rob Cross has been given the chance to prepare he admits by going to the World Series of Darts ahead of the Masters playing at the Bahrain Darts Masters and now the Nordic Darts Masters.

Speaking after his opening win over Vladimir Andersen, he admits it is different than a usual January where he doesn't put the work in.

"I've really enjoyed the invitational events, it's nice to get an invite. I would say that but I've really enjoyed and January is usually quiet for me, I don't practice. I get to the Masters and maybe for four days, I panic practice which is never good," said Cross to Online Darts.

"I'm really enjoying the game at the minute. Don't get me wrong I always want better things and this year I'm going to start looking at performances, trying to get a little bit more which I know I can and we will see where we end up."

But while he values the extra preparation, he was honest in saying he isn't a fan of The Masters as a tournament.

"I don't get myself ready for that, personally I think the Masters is a stupid tournament. I'm not ready at the end of January, it takes me three weeks to pick myself up and keep myself going."

As well as the Premier League with some quarters tipping Cross for a spot despite him being snubbed as a major champion in 2022 and he said barring his sponsors having a word, he doesn't know if he'd accept but says he is not in the conversation anyway.

"I've enjoyed my family time for the last year I am where I am, I'm enjoying my darts more away from it. If the invitation comes in, the only people who would change my mind would be my sponsorship but for me, I'm happy where I am at the minute."

"Premier League for me I'm not in, whether they pick seven, whether they pick four. I'm not even in the conversation, I'm not bothered."