Josh Rock hopes the World Grand Prix moves from the Mattioli Arena in Leicester, criticising the crowds at the venue.
The Grand Prix started life in Rochester in 1998 and its most iconic venue became the Citywest Hotel in Dublin, where it was held from 2001-2019.
After a behind-closed-doors edition in Coventry in 2020, the Grand Prix has since been in Leicester, where it is being played again this week.
The Northern Irishman has played in the last two editions of the event and hasn’t been that impressed with the turnout in Leicester, feeling the major tournament should be somewhere that will attract bigger crowds.
‘I never experienced it when it was in Dublin, but I think the PDC need to change the venue because they don’t get the fans in Leicester at all,’ Rock told Metro at the launch of the Target pop-up shop in Manchester.
‘The first four or five sessions, they’ll be lucky if there’s 100 people in and it’s meant to be a major! So I think maybe they need to find somewhere that they know they’re going to get the fans from Monday all the way to Sunday. That’s my opinion, they need to change the venue.’
The 24-year-old added: ‘Just for the fans’ purposes, there’s nothing wrong with the practice room, there’s nothing wrong with going up there and playing. Just for the fans, the PDC aren’t getting the fans for it.’
The latest edition of the World Grand Prix got underway on Monday evening and the crowd was in good voice, as pointed out by world number one Luke Humphries after beating Nathan Aspinall in his opening game.
‘It’s a great experience being here, it’s a great crowd, the best crowd we’ve had on a Monday for three or four years,’ Cool Hand told Sky Sports. ‘So it’s really nice everyone’s come out and supported us.
‘We’re looking forward to the later rounds, I think it’s going to get even busier and even more loud.’
Rock will hope he is playing in front of a big crowd at the weekend as he continues his search for a first major title.
He has been to the semi-finals of the UK Open and World Matchplay this season, so is getting close, but it is not just one big tournament he wants to win, it is a huge amount.
‘When you get that first you can be hungry for more,’ he said. ‘Some people obviously have won one major and they’re like, “oh I’ve won one,” I’m like, “no I want to win 15 or 20.”
‘You want to win because you want your name to live in this sport forever and that’s what I want to try and do. I don’t think I’ll have a legacy like Phil [Taylor]’s but I would like to have some sort of legacy.
‘I’d just like to leave this sport whenever, 35 years’ time, 40 years’ time, however long I’m in this sport for and say I’m happy I’ve done that. I don’t want any regret in my career.
‘Everybody’s different. The boys win their tour cards with 80 averages and they’re just happy they’re classed as a professional darts players. Some other people just don’t care, there’s a lot of people who don’t care but I care what I do.
‘God gave me a gift for a reason, I’m using it as best as I can so I’m grateful for what I do.’
Rock is number nine in the world rankings and on the verge of completing one of his career goals, but will not truly count himself as a top player until he competes in the Premier League.
‘I want to try and be in the top eight in the world but I still wouldn’t class myself as one of the elite players until I play in the Premier League,’ he said. ‘Whether it’s next year or the year after that, as soon as I become a Premier League player I’ll class myself as one of the elite players.’
Rock takes on Ryan Joyce in his opening round match at the World Grand Prix on Tuesday night. He is still looking for his first victory in the event after losing to Michael van Gerwen on debut and to Joyce last year.