"I’ll never class myself as one of the elite until I’m in the Premier League": Josh Rock sets his own benchmark for darting success

Josh Rock produced an impressive debut display at the Australian Darts Masters, combining high scoring with a relaxed approach, and left the stage with both confidence and perspective after hitting a 108 in a 6-1 win over Simon Whitlock.

For this trip, Rock had a different kind of support team – his family joined him in Australia rather than his usual management team. It brought a new dynamic. “Yeah, obviously she was a nervous wreck,” Rock laughed. “I was like, ‘What are you being nervous about? I’m the one that’s playing darts, not you.’ But she said on my first day at darts, that was when the nerves kicked in for her. She doesn’t show it though, and I’m up there trying to do a job. But yeah, she enjoyed it.”

While fellow debutant Mike De Decker admitted he’d been surprised by the level of behind-the-scenes work at a World Series event – from media duties to meet-and-greets – Rock had a head start thanks to previous exhibition work. “Yeah, but I’ve done a couple of exhibitions with Jason and Matt Ward in the Modus, so I knew what to expect and I was really looking forward to it,” he said. “I think I got one of the best responses out of all the players coming into that room, which I was very, very happy with and shocked by. I didn’t think I was going to get that reception, but obviously I must be doing something right.”

Rock’s 2025 season has seen him win a TV major in the form of the World Cup of Darts and post big averages, fuelling speculation that he is primed for a Premier League debut next year. But the Northern Irishman isn’t getting carried away. “I don’t look at it. If I get Premier League next year, happy days. If I don’t, I have to work harder for it. I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing. If I get the call-up, happy days. If I don’t, I’ll work harder because I’m not ready for it yet.”

One striking element of Rock’s Australian debut was his composure. “I’m just here to play darts. I enjoy playing darts,” he said. “For the first time in a while, there wasn’t one bit of nerves up there at all – none. I don’t shake, but you usually get butterflies, the adrenaline… there was none of that tonight, which I was quite shocked with. I still produced the goods – 107, 108 average, can’t remember exactly – but if you’re doing that without the adrenaline rush, happy days. That said, I’d rather have the adrenaline rush because it means you’re more up for it.”

Asked why he felt so calm, Rock could only speculate. “Could’ve been the time difference – we’re nine hours ahead of the UK. Or maybe it’s because, I treated it like an exhibition. I don’t know, but I’m very happy with my performance.”

Rock also reflected on last month’s World Matchplay, where he reached the semi-finals for the first time before being beaten by Luke Littler after leading 5–0. “I think it would have been disheartening if I’d lost here first round, but I didn’t,” he said. “My aim at the Matchplay was to get to the quarter-finals, and I went one step further. I had a very hard route to win that title – Ross Smith, MVG, Gezzy, and Luke. You’ve got the best players in the world there, and I do believe I had the hardest side of the draw. I beat MVG and I beat Gezzy, and if I’d taken my chances, I could have beaten Luke. But that’s all experience – he’s won plenty already. For me, I was very happy. I was still confident, but my problem was I didn’t lift a dart from the Matchplay until now. That was my own fault, but I still played alright.”

Despite his growing reputation, Rock has his own benchmark for being among the elite. “I’ll never class myself as one of the elite until I’m in the Premier League,” he stated. “If you’re in the Premier League, you’re one of the elite – you’re on TV for 17 weeks straight. If I get the call-up this year, I’ll be grateful, and then I’ll officially class myself as one of the elite.”

He acknowledges that World Series opportunities are an important part of that push. “Yeah, of course. But I’ve got to keep doing what I’m doing. I don’t want to take my foot off the pedal and miss out. I want to be in the Premier League, but I need to keep fighting for it, because I don’t think I’m in yet.”

One major factor behind his form, Rock says, has been his darts. “Yeah, 100%. Ever since I got my darts last July after the Matchplay, I’ve been practising with them and I just knew I was hitting the right areas with them. I’ll keep doing what I’m doing, and hopefully I’ll be in the Premier League next year.”