Rob Cross has come to Peter Wright’s rescue after fans called for his retirement after disappointing performances at the Grand Slam of Darts.
Peter Wright lost all three of his Group C games to Martin Lukeman, Leonard Gates, and Rob Cross – including a 5-1 loss to Voltage.
Fans called for Peter Wright to retire from the professional game after his loss to Leonard Gates, but Cross has jumped to his defence.
Rob Cross hopes Peter Wright bounces back
During his on-stage interview with Sky Sports, Cross showed empathy towards Snakebite’s current struggles.
The World No. 4 said: “I’m playing a legend of the game and he’s not at his best. I love it when Peter’s at his best. I’ve really got to say, I expected a little bit more tonight, I never got it. He’ll probably admit that.
“I hope he does come back and I hope he does rebuild. It’s not really about me. I don’t like seeing people suffering. He’s a great guy and he deserves a lot more.”
Rob Cross will play European Champion Ritchie Edhouse in the second round of the Wolverhampton tournament.
Wayne Mardle calls Peter Wright’s form ‘worrying’
Wright has been in a slump of form for much of 2024, but it reached new lows at the Grand Slam. Snakebite won just five legs in three best-of-nine encounters.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Wayne Mardle said: “Peter Wright’s form is worrying. This is a period that has gone on for a while.
“I believe a positive result can mask problems that might be there, and I think the European Championships last year did that.
“That came out of the blue, it really did. A European Tour win this year came out of the blue too. He can still do it, but when he comes off, my word he’s off. He’s got no B game at all.
“He was upstairs joking with us saying how rubbish he is, but I felt like he meant it. He was joking about it, but I kind of felt for him at that point.”
Wright’s furthest dip in form could not have come at a worse time with the World Championship right around the corner.