ROCK READY TO TOPPLE LITTLER IN PREMIER LEAGUE

JOSH ROCK is out to topple Luke Littler when the pair potentially go head-to-head in Belfast at the Premier League.

‘Rocky’ has been called up to the weekly invitational tournament for the first time in his career after reaching three major semi-finals last year and helping Northern Ireland lift the World Cup of Darts.

World No.9 Rock now classes himself among the elite following his inclusion in the star-studded event.

But Rock admitted the build-up was tense, as he only found out he was in the competition 20 minutes before the official announcement.

He told BBC Sport: “The night before [the Premier League line-up was announced] I didn’t sleep because I hadn’t heard anything and then 20 minutes before it was released I found out I was in. It was a relief in a way.

“I don’t think it has really sunk in but when I’m standing up on that stage in Belfast it’s going to hit me. I might be a bit nervous but I’ll enjoy the moment.

“They always say you’re not one of the elite players until you’re in the Premier League, now I can say I’m one of the elite players because I’m on television for the next 17 weeks straight. It’s a good feeling.

“I’d like to get to the O2 for the final four [of the Premier League] and this year my aim is to get into the top four in the world.”

Rock could face reigning world champion Littler on home soil on night four of the Premier League.

The Antrim ace is determined to snap a three-match losing streak against his close pal, Littler, whom he credits with helping to revolutionise the sport.

He added: “I think it’s going to be absolutely nuts.

“Daryl [Gurney] was the last one [from Northern Ireland to be part of the Premier League, in 2020], but that was prior to Covid and darts wasn’t as big back then. Now darts is bigger than it has ever been.

“I bet I’ll play [Luke Littler] in Belfast but we’ll see what happens. Every time I have played him it’s been 100 plus averages every time. I’ve been in front every time but just can’t seem to get over the line, but I’ll get him yet.

“Everything has to go down to Luke Littler. If it wasn’t for him doing what he did when he was only 16 [reaching the World Championship final as a rank outsider] and winning the Worlds the past two years the sport wouldn’t be where it is now.

“Everyone has to thank him for it.

“It has gone through the roof now. Darts is in a different place now than it was 10 years ago when I was a youth player. There are so many opportunities now.”

Rock bowed out in the fourth round at Ally Pally last month, suffering a 4–0 defeat to Justin Hood, who produced a clinical display on the doubles.

The 24-year-old insists that his overriding ambition is to one day lift the world championship title.

He continued: “I felt I could go all the way this year but then I fell into Justin Hood who hit 100% of doubles and I couldn’t do much against him, but I do believe one day I’ll be a world champion.

“I’ll be happy to walk away from this game with one world title.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.