I'm not gonna lie - watching darts players drop like flies this season has been a bit of a gut punch. First MVG with his shoulder drama, and now this.
Rob Cross (our beloved "Voltage") just dropped a bombshell on Twitter yesterday evening that he's pulling out of "the next few events" because he's "not feeling great." That's about as vague as my aunt describing her mysterious medical conditions at Christmas dinner.
What the hell is going on with these players?
Cross, 34, was supposed to be throwing in teh International Darts Open this weekend in Riesa, Germany. It's this small industrial city about two hours south of Berlin, where Night Nine of the Premier League just wrapped up on Thursday. I actually visited Riesa back in 2018 while following the tour - not exactly a tourist hotspot, but the German crowds are absolutely electric.
His full message hit that perfect blend of professional disappointment and genuine regret: "Sorry to say I've had to pull out of the next few events due to not feeling great. I apologise to the fans and PDC Europe as I always love playing in Germany. Hopefully I'll be back soon."
That's it. No details. Nothing about what's actually wrong.
The timing couldn't be worse
This withdrawal means Cross will miss the Players Championship events in Leicester next Tuesday and Wednesday. And unless he makes a miraculous recovery, he'll likely skip Night Ten of the Premier League in Manchester on Thursday.
Let's be real. Cross hasn't exactly been lighting up the Premier League this year. Zero night wins. Not even a single final appearance. He's sitting fifth in the eight-man table with just six wins to his name. My buddy Jason bet me £50 that Cross wouldn't make the playoffs this year... looking like I'll be paying up soon.
Remember when Voltage actually had... voltage?
It's hard to believe this is the same guy who shocked the world by winning the World Championship in 2018. That tournament was insane - he demolished MVG in the semis and then crushed Phil Taylor in The Power's final professional match.
God. What a different era that feels like now.
Fans rallying around their man
The response from the darting community has been exactly what you'd expect - supportive and concerned. One fan wrote, "Health and family first. Look after yourself dude. Speedy recovery, too." Another added, "Absolutely nothing to apologise for, your health comes before anything else."
My favorite was the one who simply said "Need to be on full power, Voltage." I mean, the nickname practically writes the punchlines itself.
This news comes right on the heels of Michael van Gerwen's withdrawal from Night Nine in Berlin due to a shoulder injury. MVG also had to skip the International Darts Open and was replaced by Richard Veenstra.
The curse of the oche?
I'm starting to wonder if there's something in the water at these venues. Two premier players dropping out within 24 hours? My conspiracy theory brain is working overtime.
Or maybe it's just the grueling schedule. These guys are constantly on the road, living out of suitcases, eating hotel food, and dealing with the pressure of performing in front of thousands. I followed the tour for three weeks in 2019 and was absolutely exhausted by the end - adn I wasn't even competing!
Whatever's going on with Cross, I hope he gets the rest he needs.
The darts world just isn't the same without a fully-charged Voltage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you recommend some fun dart games for parties?
Absolutely! Darts doesn't have to be all about 501 and cricket. For parties, you want games that keep everyone involved, accommodate different skill levels, and create some friendly competition.
My darts keep bouncing out of the board. What am I doing wrong?
Bounce-outs are incredibly frustrating, but they're usually caused by one of a few common issues. First, check your dartboard—if it's old and dried out, even the best throws will struggle to stick. Quality sisal boards should last years, but cheaper paper-wound boards harden quickly. If you can press your thumbnail into the board and it doesn't leave a small indent, it's too hard.
Is it worth spending more money on expensive darts?
The question of dart investment really depends on your commitment level and budget. You don't need to spend a fortune, but there's definitely a quality threshold worth crossing.
How do I practice darts effectively if I'm playing alone?
Solo practice doesn't have to be boring—in fact, it's often more productive than casual games with friends. The key is having structured practice routines that target specific skills rather than just throwing randomly at the board.
What's the difference between steel tip and soft tip darts?
Steel tip and soft tip darts represent two distinct branches of the sport, each with their own equipment, venues, and sometimes even scoring systems. The most obvious difference is in the point: steel tips have metal points for traditional bristle boards, while soft tips use flexible plastic points for electronic boards.
I keep hitting 5s and 1s when aiming for 20s. How do I fix this?
This is probably the most common frustration in darts—those dreaded 5s and 1s when you're aiming for the 20 segment! The good news is that this specific problem usually stems from a few identifiable issues.
Statistics
- The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
- A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.
- The World Darts Championship prize fund exceeded £2.5 million in 2023, with the champion receiving £500,000.
- The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.
- Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
- The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).
- Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.
- Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.
External Links
How To
Choosing Your First Set of Darts
When I started out, I grabbed whatever cheap darts came with the board I bought at Target. BIG mistake. The flights (those wing things at the back) kept falling off, and the tips bent after just a few throws. After wasting about $30 on those garbage darts, I finally invested in a decent tungsten set.
CricketBoxingFormula 1GolfHorse RacingPremier LeagueTennisDartsPrivacy PolicyTerms And Conditions
