World Grand Prix Darts 2025: Rob Cross Says World Number One Outweighs World Championship

Former world champion Rob Cross remains laser-focused on one of the few achievements still missing from his career: claiming the world number one spot in darts.

After a tense 3-2 opening round victory over Dutch talent Wessel Nijman at the 2025 BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix, ‘Voltage’ reflected on his career, the evolving PDC ranking system following the introduction of the £1 million world championship prize, and the personal significance of reaching the pinnacle of the sport.

World Number One is the Pinnacle 

Currently sitting at provisional world number seven, Cross has already claimed two of the sport’s most prestigious titles, the World Championship and the World Matchplay. Yet, for him, neither carries the same weight as being recognised as the world’s number one ranked player. 

“I think the only thing that matters in the game is getting to number one, and if you can't be number one, then what's the point?” he said.

“You're just making the numbers up, aren't you? That number one… it’s sort of crucial. It's important. It's the biggest thing.”

Cross elaborated on why the top-ranking matters more than any other accolade.

“But that number one, it does matter. You could be eight, you could be ten, you could be fifteen, who cares? You are not the best at your trade. So go in there, work a little bit harder, get what you want. It's just a number. It's a kettle market unless you're number one.”

It’s Still Possible for Cross 

Despite sitting over £1 million away from the number one position on the PDC Order of Merit and not having won a televised ranking event since 2021, Cross hasn’t given up on the dream. He admits he has sometimes been his own worst enemy along the way.

“Yeah, I still think so. I keep paying all these people to sort me head out, and there's no one there so they can't sort it out. I'm sure I'll keep trying, but look, I always try. I'll go out there, I'll wear my heart on my sleeve. I’m my own kryptonite really sometimes because I can put a lot on myself like I did tonight," he told SportsBoom.co.uk. 

Potential Early Retirement? 

Cross also reflected on the rapid influx of young talent reshaping the sport, citing players such as Luke Littler, Gian van Veen, and Josh Rock. 

At 35, and a tour card holder for less than a decade, he is often regarded as a veteran, but one who still believes he has plenty to offer.

He even teased the possibility of an early retirement, noting, “It might be as long as you think.”

When asked whether he would feel disappointed if he retired without ever achieving the number one ranking, Cross was candid.

“Maybe personally. A great man, he said to me once, an opportunity will never pass you by if it was meant to be, and very much like that, I'm going to take those words and look at that. If I never make it, then so be it. It wasn't destined to be, but at the same time you don't stop trying in the middle.”

For Cross, the world number one spot isn’t just a statistic, it’s the ultimate measure of a career, and he remains determined to chase it down.