ROCK REVEALS SPECIAL BOND WITH TAYLOR

JOSH ROCK has revealed he’s getting top-secret tips from the legendary Phil Taylor as he bids to take his game to the next level at the World Grand Prix. 

‘Rocky’ says 16-time world champion Taylor has been texting him advice and encouragement in the build-up to this week’s event in Leicester. 

World No. 10 Rock has been in red hot form this year after winning the Players Championship 10 and World Cup of Darts for Northern Ireland. 

Rock admits getting support from ‘The Power’ has been “special” and massively motivating. 

He said: “Phil Taylor’s been messaging me the last couple of days and giving me a lot of tips, basically getting prepared for this Grand Prix. 

“I met him for the first time at the Target launch and we exchanged numbers and he’s been giving me a lot of good advice because he believes I can go to the top. He’s been very helpful. 

“When I was growing up it was between Phil and Gary (Anderson) that I was watching the most.  

“Obviously Gary’s my idol and Phil was always there, but whenever you’re growing up and you’re watching a 16-time world champion play darts and he knows how to do it, it’s special. 

“He’s given me tips to improve my game, just that extra half per cent, maybe a full per cent. 

“He knows what he’s talking about, he’s been there, done that and won 16 world titles so I think I’d be stupid if I didn’t listen to him!” 

Antrim thrower Rock reached the semi-finals of the UK Open and World Matchplay in a brilliant 2025 campaign. 

Rock also made back-to-back finals on the Euro Tour further showcasing his immense talent at the oche. 

He added: “This year as a whole I really can’t complain, I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve been getting a lot of Finals, been very consistent and getting further in the tournaments.  

“So far I think it’s been the best year but it’s still not the best of me yet. 

“I’ve got a long time in this game so I believe I’ve still got a lot more to give. I feel like Luke and I hopefully should dominate the game for years to come, because of our age, so I’m happy to just keep doing what I’m doing, slowly but surely. 

“I’ve been playing well and people saying you’re doing this, you’re doing that, you’re getting this, you’re getting that but I’m still just taking it on the straight and obviously I have to beat the person who’s in front of me.” 

Rock has never been a fan of the Grand Prix’s tricky double-in, double-out format — and he’ll be out for revenge when he faces Ryan Joyce in a repeat of last year’s opener.  

The 24-year-old was brushed aside 2-0 by ‘Relentless’ but is determined to flip the script this time around.  

He continued: “I’d just be happy to win a match! 

“Ryan is a good player so I know I need to be on it to get through, and then we’ll go from there.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.