In a nail-biting showdown at the Cincinnati Open on Thursday, August 17, Carlos Alcaraz showcased his unwavering determination as he triumphed over Tommy Paul in a marathon battle. Despite facing two rain delays and a grueling three-hour match, Alcaraz emerged victorious with a 7-6 (6), 6-7 (0), 6-3 scoreline, securing his spot in the quarter-finals. Though, in the middle of the match, whilst getting stuck die to rain delays, Alcaraz was seen in the shed kicking back and watching something on his phone. Tennis TV, a very litigious news outlet for tennis, shared the video of Alcaraz on Twitter.

Unveiling Carlos Alcaraz’s unexpected motivation from a silver screen boxer

Amidst this fierce competition and ceaseless rainfall, a unique glimpse into Alcaraz’s mindset emerged. A video shared by Tennis TV on Twitter captured the young athlete engrossed in his phone during a rain delay. The channel cheekily inquired, ‘Watching the match highlights so far? 😉’ Alcaraz’s response, however, was quite the curveball.

His reply revealed a different screen entirely: “Actually watching Rocky IV training 🤓💪🏻”.

While Alcaraz shines on the tennis court, he finds motivation in an unexpected place: the Rocky movie series. Alcaraz is a big fan of these films and often draws inspiration from them. “I have the Rocky movies all the time in mind, all songs are about Rocky,” he admitted. It’s not just the movies that inspire him, but also the powerful music, especially the famous song ‘Eye of the Tiger,’ that gives him a boost like Rocky’s training scenes.

Alcaraz’s rocky road to victory amidst rain delays

Coming back to his match against Tommy Paul, this victory carried a special significance for Alcaraz. It marked his redemption after a recent defeat at the hands of Paul in the quarterfinals of the Canadian Open. “I told everyone that I really wanted [to win], since I lost in Toronto,” Alcaraz affirmed, acknowledging the emotional weight behind his resolute performance, as reported by the ATP Tour.

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Leaving his signature on the camera after his victory, Alcaraz expressed his wish for better weather in his upcoming matches. With a hopeful look, he wrote, “No more rain.” Fans and fellow players share this hope, eager to see his skill without interruptions.

In an era marked by data-driven analysis and scientific training regimens, Carlos Alcaraz stands as a refreshing reminder of the human spirit’s unyielding capacity to draw strength from the unlikeliest of inspirations.

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