ROB CROSS insists he has no “God-given right” to be in the world’s top 16.
‘Voltage’ beat Daryl Gurney 10-6 at the UK Open to book his place in a major quarter-final for the first time in 15 months.
The former world champion endured a tough season last year which saw him plummet down the rankings and be omitted from the Premier League lineup.
Cross admits no player is guaranteed a place among the elite and that past success counts for nothing,
He said: “It’s important because of the Euros and other stuff, but just because I have won other things doesn’t mean I deserve to be in the top 16.
“I think there is a massive part of life and what we all have to remember is that I used to work for a living.
“I used to have to get up at 4:30am and put in blood, sweat and tears five days a week.
“When things get tough, sometimes you just have to dig in. I haven’t got a God-given right to be in the top 16.
“No disrespect to Peter Wright for what he’s achieved in the game, or Michael Smith. They haven’t got a God-given right to be there either.
“You’ve got to work hard, you’ve got to put everything in. Hopefully the head turns, which I think it is.”
Cross returns to action on Sunday afternoon, with his opponent set to be decided when the draw is made on stage at the ‘FA Cup of Darts’.
Image by Taylor Lanning.
