Rob Cross has declared he has no divine entitlement to a top-16 ranking, drawing comparisons to Peter Wright and Michael Smith, after a resurgent run to the UK Open quarter-finals. The former world champion, who beat Daryl Gurney 10-6 to reach the last eight, admitted he felt the most comfortable on the oche he has in some time. "I think so. Look, you’ve got to think logically. I won a couple of Players Championship tournaments last year, but since then it’s been a bit of an uphill struggle," Cross said after his victory, acknowledging a difficult period where fatigue and pressure took a toll.
Cross highlighted a mental reset as key to his improved form, noting he has changed a lot at home under a new regime. "I feel a little bit lighter going into matches," he explained, adding that he is now calmer when things go wrong. He analysed his UK Open performances, stating that in matches against Gian van Veen and Mike De Decker, he missed doubles in the middle period of games, and against Gurney, he thought he would lead 5-0 but it ended up 6-4. Despite this, he credited Gurney as a "top man."
Realistic about his climb back to the elite, Cross said, "I understand it’s not going to be a quick fix," with plans laid through to the end of the year. He emphasized that enjoyment has returned, with fist pumps and celebrating, and that self-belief is crucial: "You never lose how to play darts—how to hit 180s or big finishes. But if your wires are crossed upstairs then it’s never really going to come out properly." On rankings, he stated plainly, "I haven't got a God-given right to be in the top 16," pointing to Wright and Smith as examples of players who have to work hard weekly.
Cross also discussed the challenges of the UK Open's long days, noting it adds up to ten or eleven hours and requires proper sleep, which he called his "Achilles heel." He shared a humorous mishap: "I actually decided to get a McDonald’s today—I probably shouldn’t even be advertising that! I swear a chicken nugget got stuck and I’ve felt full ever since." Initially sluggish, he felt alright after two hours. Absent from Premier League Darts this season, he said, "I didn’t deserve the Premier League—I didn’t play well enough," but sees an upside in having nine months to work on results without spreading himself too thin.
Looking ahead, Cross faces James Wade in the quarter-finals and is optimistic, saying, "I’ve definitely turned a corner this week. I’ve enjoyed being back on stage in front of the fans. That’s what it’s all about." He also praised the strong new generation, like Gian van Veen, and reflected on his pre-professional life: "I used to go to work for a living. I used to get up at half past four and work my socks off." With renewed focus, he concluded, "And if the chances present themselves? Then I’ll take them."
