Rob Cross opens up on struggles after second round win against Ian White
Rob Cross secured a 3-1 victory over Ian White in the second round of the PDC World Darts Championship held at Alexandra Palace. The 2018 world champion revealed that 2025 has been a challenging year for him, describing it as a nightmare marked by a poor Premier League performance, a fall from world number 4 to number 20, and missing out on any major quarter-finals.
In addition to his sporting struggles, Cross faced financial difficulties, entering an Individual Voluntary Arrangement in the summer over unpaid taxes exceeding £450,000. His long-time manager, Rob Bain, was hospitalised last week, adding to the personal challenges Cross faced.
Cross has long dealt with mental health issues. He stopped taking ADHD medication prior to this tournament and emphasized the importance of talking openly. He expressed a desire to communicate his feelings to trusted individuals and help others by speaking publicly about his struggles.
Recently, Cross visited a children’s hospital in Cologne with other players. Hearing the children’s stories gave him perspective and motivated him to share his mental health journey candidly.
Looking ahead, Cross is set to play Damon Heta in the last-32. He noted that unless he reaches the semi-finals at the World Championship, he will begin 2026 outside the top 16 rankings. Despite the pressures, he highlighted that enjoying the game and feeling adrenaline remain key, with winning the pinnacle and money not significantly altering his life.
Mental health resources for support include the Samaritans helpline at 116 123 and Mind at 0300 123 3393.
