JOSH ROCK joked he went from starstruck meeting his heroes to cheekily thinking “they’re all w*****s” after settling in.
The World No7 admitted he could hardly believe it when he first shared a room with players he had grown up watching, including idol Gary Anderson.
Josh Rock has recalled his early interactions with his darting heroesCredit: Alamy
Gary Anderson is a power scorer just like RockCredit: Getty
The Antrim thrower has had a quick rise to stardom, winning the World Cup and reaching four major semi-finals by the age of 24.
Rock explained why he often compares his own game to Ando, pointing to their scoring power.
He told the Talking Bollox Podcast : “It’s obviously fantastic. It’s weird, obviously.
“They always say don’t meet your hero, but when I met him, he just took to me straight away.
“He always calls me his boy. I absolutely love it, but just obviously to be in a room with him and look at your idol, who I looked up to all my life, that’s fantastic.
“It was the first day when I obviously got my tour card and walked into that room, seeing and seeing Gary. The body started shaking like, f***, it’s him.
“Even though I’m there as a professional too. But I think after a month, I thought, f*** them, they’re all w*****s.
“The reason I always compare myself to Gary Anderson is because he won two world titles from scoring and s*** at double because he was that much of a power scorer.
“He gave himself extra darts at a double before anyone else got there. So, I find a lot of myself, a lot of Gary Anderson and me.”
Rock one day aspires to be the best player on the planet but knows there is a long way to go since the emergence of .
He added: “You can, but it’ll be a very, very long time because he’s that far in front.
“I could win every single thing this year and still not be anywhere close to number one in the world. It just shows how far ahead he is.
“And obviously the prize money’s gone up which helps close the gap. So, I just have to keep plugging away. Hopefully, he dips in form.”
Rock believes time is firmly on his side and pointed to the longevity of stars like and .
He continued: “I could have 25, 30 years at this game. You have Peter Wright still playing who’s 56. He wishes he was 30.
Luke Littler is miles ahead as world No1Credit: Getty
Rock is facing the world’s best in the Premier League every weekCredit: PA
“You’ve got Raymond van Barneveld, 58, as well. So, I’ve got a very, very long time at this game.
“There’s no age limit. Definitely, there’s no age limit at all, which is good.”
Rock’s ascent has seen him hit the big time, it’s not the fame or billboards that faze him, it’s something far more nostalgic.
He said: “The one that gets me the most is like the football cards.
“Obviously, growing up, the Match Attax, you were all happy you got the Ronaldo 100 Club and stuff.
“Then seeing a signature, one of mine, you’re like, hell, I used to collect them. Now, there’s actually ones of me.
“They’re the ones that get me. The ones, the billboards and stuff, I couldn’t give a s***.
“It’s the cards, just the cards. I’m like, f***ing hell. I used to love Match Attax when I was younger.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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