Rob Cross is dreaming of creating more Alexandra Palace history over the coming weeks, as he begins his bid for a second Cazoo World Darts Championship title on Friday.
Cross is looking to become the seventh player to be crowned a multiple PDC World Champion in the 2022/23 showpiece, following his fairy-tale triumph on debut in January 2018.
The Hastings ace generated global headlines after conquering the darting world on his Alexandra Palace bow five years ago, defeating Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor to triumph.
Cross edged out Van Gerwen in a gripping sudden-death decider in the semi-finals, before producing an imperious display to dispatch 16-time World Champion Taylor, competing in his final match as a professional.
“Alexandra Palace is where dreams are made. It was an amazing moment to lift the trophy in 2018,” reflected Cross, who averaged 107 to deny Taylor a fairy-tale farewell.
“It will always be special to me. I think every single player prepares themselves a little bit differently for this tournament because they know how much it matters.
“Even if you’re number 70 in the world, winning a couple of games could be life-changing to these players with the amount of money on offer.
“I will make sure I’m ready going into the World Championship this year, and if I settle, I definitely believe I can win it again.”
Cross became an overnight sensation following his World Championship exploits in 2018, and by his own admission, he struggled to cope with the new-found fame.
“I’m not that kind of character, so it was hard,” admitted the world number six.
“I try to keep myself as grounded as I can. If you put me in the spotlight and put me on a pedestal, I don’t think it quite works for me.
“I think when most people win the World Championship, it takes them a few years to build up to that, and where I did it so quickly, I had no foundations. I was thrown in at the deep end.”
Cross has endured mixed fortunes in 2022, reaching three European Tour finals and scooping a brace of Players Championship titles, but prior to last month’s Players Championship Finals, his televised form had been underwhelming.
However, the five-time TV title winner defeated Gary Anderson, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Jonny Clayton to reach last month’s Players Championship Finals decider, which sealed his return to the world’s top eight.
This also maintained Cross’ remarkable record of reaching a televised final for a sixth straight year, but he believes there is still more to come.
“I’m proud of what I have achieved. I’m probably a bit like James [Wade] because I can win titles without being at my best,” added the former electrician.
“I think I don’t get the recognition because people look at me and think I’ve been here for 15 years!
“I think this is my sixth year, and nobody has had to handle what I’ve had to handle when they’ve come through.
“I didn’t really enjoy the darts for 18 months throughout the Covid period, but this year I’ve enjoyed it more than ever, and I still believe I’ve got another world title in me.”
Cross begins his sixth World Championship campaign against emerging star Scott Williams, who is bidding to follow in his opponent’s footsteps by claiming the sport’s holy grail on debut.
Williams – like Cross – has excelled on the Challenge Tour and picked up a maiden ProTour title in his debut year on the professional circuit, but ‘Voltage’ is hoping to spark into life on his Ally Pally return.
“Every tournament is important, but the World Championship is the pinnacle, and to win that twice would be absolutely amazing,” said Cross, a 33/1 shot with betting partner Ladbrokes.
“You want to go there, play your best stuff and show the world that you can still produce and you can still be at the elite level.
“It would be another dream, and it feels like I’ve been living my dream for the last six years.”
2022/23 Cazoo World Darts Championship
Friday December 23
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
4x Second Round
Brendan Dolan v Jimmy Hendriks
Chris Dobey v Martijn Kleermaker
Ross Smith v Darius Labanauskas
Rob Cross v Scott Williams
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
4x Second Round
Martin Schindler v Martin Lukeman
Danny Noppert v David Cameron
Jonny Clayton v Danny van Trijp
Joe Cullen v Ricky Evans