Rob Cross, the world number four darts player, found himself in hot water after making an obscene gesture at the World Championship. The incident occurred following his unexpected first-round exit at the hands of Scott Williams. Frustrated with his own subpar performance, Cross directed the lewd hand signal towards his manager as he left the stage. The Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) swiftly responded, issuing a fine to Cross for his unsporting conduct. While the exact amount of the fine remains undisclosed, Cross admitted to paying it promptly, acknowledging his guilt and issuing an apology for the incident. He characterized the fine as “decent” and stated he typically waits until the last minute to pay such penalties, suggesting the amount was substantial enough to prompt immediate action.
The incident at the World Championship capped off a disappointing period for Cross, who had also suffered a shock defeat to Paolo Nebrida in Bahrain the week prior. Reflecting on his early exit from the World Championship, Cross admitted it was his worst performance of the year and a significant disappointment. He took time away from the game following the tournament to process the loss and clear his head. Despite these setbacks, Cross showed signs of returning to form with a 6-3 victory over Richard Veenstra at the Dutch Darts Masters. He acknowledged the importance of securing a win to build momentum for the rest of the year.
Cross admitted to a period of post-World Championship lethargy, spending more time with his family and less time practicing. However, he recognized the need to regain his competitive edge and acknowledged that his current form was not where it needed to be. He emphasized the importance of consistent strong performances rather than fleeting moments of brilliance. Cross expressed his desire to rediscover his peak form and hoped to showcase his full potential in upcoming tournaments. He stressed the need for a strong performance to establish a solid foundation for the year ahead.
Cross attributed his World Championship defeat to a lack of focus and preparation. He admitted to being “lazy” and “guilty” for prioritizing family time over practice in the lead-up to the tournament. He acknowledged the need to find a better balance between personal life and professional commitments. The early exit from the World Championship served as a wake-up call, prompting him to re-evaluate his priorities and recommit to his training.
The article also includes a list of all PDC World Darts Champions, highlighting Phil Taylor’s dominance with 14 titles. The list showcases the evolution of the sport and the rise of new champions in recent years. It serves as a reminder of the competitive landscape of professional darts and the prestigious nature of the World Championship title.
In conclusion, Rob Cross’s obscene gesture at the World Championship resulted in a swift fine from the DRA. The incident, coupled with recent poor performances, prompted Cross to reflect on his approach to the game and recommit to his training. While acknowledging his guilt and apologizing for his actions, Cross expressed optimism about returning to form and achieving success in the future. His victory at the Dutch Darts Masters offered a glimmer of hope, suggesting that he might be on the path to rediscovering his winning ways.
