How The Rocky Movies Motivate Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz has taken the ATP Tour by storm in 2022 with three ATP Tour titles, including his triumph on home soil Sunday at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell. Has the 18-year-old revealed the secret to his success?

Alcaraz confirmed in his post-match interview that he motivates himself by listening to the soundtrack of the Rocky series.

“I try to listen to that song before every match. It motivates me,” Alcaraz said, cracking a smile. “When I listen to the music, I remember the movie and it’s amazing the fighting spirit that Rocky has. I try to have that experience in every match, so that motivates me.”

The motivation has worked all year for the teen, but especially Sunday when, like Rocky did, Alcaraz had his back against the ropes. Due to rain, the semi-finals were played Sunday morning. Alex de Minaur had two match points to clinch a straight-sets victory against the teen. On one of those points, De Minaur had a short forehand that he would normally put away.

But instead, he hit the ball too close to the middle of the court and Alcaraz contorted his body to somehow slap a forehand passing shot for a winner. The teen rallied to win the match and just hours later, despite needing three hours and 40 minutes against De Minaur, defeated mentor Pablo Carreno Busta to lift his third trophy of the season.