Rock demands fans stop whistling as he warns problem is getting “out of hand”

JOSH ROCK has called for fans to cut out whistling during matches after admitting the problem is becoming “out of hand”.

The world No6 has seen the issue first-hand during his Premier League debut season, where players were regularly disrupted by heckles from the crowd.

Rock, 25, endured a difficult campaign, finishing bottom of the table after winning just four matches, but believes the atmosphere created by spectators trying to put players off has become a growing concern.

The issue was highlighted during Stephen Bunting’s semi-final victory over Gerwyn Price on Night 16, when a supporter repeatedly whistled during play at the Sheffield Arena.

Price spotted the culprit and refused to continue until security removed the fan from the venue.

Rock believes action needs to be taken to protect players’ performances.

He told the Daily Star: “Not involving me because I was out in the first round most of the time!

“But it is getting out of hand at the minute. People probably think it's funny, but if they want us to perform at our best, they need to cut it [whistling] out.

“The only thing you can do is point the person out, like Gezzy [Gerwyn Price] did in the Premier League, and get them thrown out.

“But if the whole crowd is whistling, you can't throw them all out.”

The Antrim thrower is now preparing for a huge World Matchplay quarter-final clash with Luke Littler in a repeat of their epic Winter Gardens showdown 12 months ago.

The pair combined for 29 180s in last year’s classic before Littler edged out Rock 17-14 in a record-breaking battle.

Rock believes he can lift his maiden major title in Blackpool after a positive year on the big stage, which has already seen him reach the UK Open semi-finals.

He added: “It was a fantastic game. I'd never won a game at the Matchplay until last year, so it was nice to get that monkey off my back.

“It's an amazing venue, probably my favourite venue. It's just so iconic.

“Bring it on, hopefully I can bring home the title.”

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning