ROB CROSS admits that it will be tough to stop the Luke Littler “juggernaut” now he’s world champion.
The World No4 is convinced that the teen sensation will continue to grow and be an even bigger force in 2025.
Cross, 35, lines up in the Bahrain Masters next week when 17-year-old Littler is announced as the reigning world champ for the first time.
He said: “I’ve got nothing but admiration for Luke. I think we’ve all run out of ways to describe what he’s done for the sport.
“He’s done incredible things on the oche. We’ve never seen this in darts before.
“People used to talk about my World Championship win on my debut as a big story.
“That has been eclipsed by Luke totally. Fair play to him. He’s taken it all in his stride.
“I think the biggest thing now for us all is how to stop him. It’s going to be like trying to halt a juggernaut.
“The more belief he gets, the harder it gets. He won’t win everything, a bit like last year.
“There’s no doubt it’s up to the likes of Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, me and a few others to stop him.
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“The only time Luke Littler has looked beatable is in the early stages of tournaments over a short format, like I did at the Grand Prix.
“He’s shown so much resilience lately though. It’s going to be fascinating as the year goes on.”
Night 1 – The SSE Arena, Belfast – Thursday February 6
Night 2 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow – Thursday February 13
Night 3 – 3Arena, Dublin – Thursday February 20
Night 4 – Westpoint Exeter – Thursday February 27
Night 5 – The Brighton Centre – Thursday March 6
Night 6 – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham – Thursday March 13
Night 7 – Utilita Arena, Cardiff – Thursday March 20
Night 8 – Utilita Arena, Newcastle – Thursday March 27
Night 9 – Uber Arena, Berlin – Thursday April 3
Night 10 – AO Arena, Manchester – Thursday April 10
Night 11 – Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam – Thursday April 17
Night 12 – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool – Thursday April 24
Night 13 – Utilita Arena, Birmingham, Thursday May 1
Night 14 – First Direct Arena, Leeds – Thursday May 8
Night 15 – P&J Live, Aberdeen – Thursday May 15
Night 16 – Utilita Arena, Sheffield – Thursday May 22
Play-Offs – The O2, London – Thursday May 29
Cross suffered an early exit at Ally Pally to pal Scott Williams but wants a strong comeback at the Premier League.
He added: “I’m excited to get to Bahrain and get winning again.
“The Worlds was a tough draw to play my mate. It was a rubbish night, I didn’t get going at all. Very frustrating. But that’s gone now.
“I want to get going and get to the Premier League to show what I can do. And try and stop the boy Littler!”
Here is all the prize money Luke Littler has won so far after being crowned 2025 PDC World Darts Championship winner:
World Championship 2025 – £500,000
World Championship 2024 – £200,000
Grand Slam of Darts 2024 – £150,000
European Tour – £91,000
Player Championships events – £71,500
Players Championship final runner-up – £60,000
UK Open 2023 + 2024 – £17,500
World Matchplay – £10,000
World Grand Prix – £7,500
European Championship – £7,500
(Unranked) Premier League Darts – £315,000
TOTAL: £1.43 million
