USA Racquetball
The Official U.S. Racquetball Association Website
Rocky Road
Rocky Carson Interview
by Leo R Vasquez
USA Racquetball Media
photos: Mike Boatman
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BIO
- Date of Birth: May 21, 1979
- Resides: Ladera Ranch, CA
- Height: 6'0"
- Weight: 175 lb.
- Year Started Playing: 1982
Sponsors
- Ektelon
- Motorola/Verizon Wireless
- Racquetball Warehouse
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One Shot Sports
www.rockycarson.com |
#2 IRT Pro Rocky Carson has started out the Men's IRT season with some success as some would say; a new web-site, ( www.rockycarson.com ) an endorsement deal with Motorola/Verizon Wireless, and a career best ranking of #2 on the Men's International Racquetball Tour, (IRT).
Carson won the inaugural 2007 Motorola World Racquetball IRT Championships, and the New Mexico Invitational Pro-Am this season where he defeated #1 ranked Jack Huczek. Add a finals and two semi-finals appearances and Carson comes to Memphis confident, fresh and red hot.
Read what Rocky has to say in an exclusive interview as he prepares for the 2007 Choice Hotels US OPEN Racquetball Championships in Memphis, TN. Carson finished as a finalist last year at the US OPEN and looks to better that performance with his first US OPEN championship. Read the interview below.
Q: What would winning the US OPEN feel like and what would it mean to you?
A: Winning always has great rewards and each and every win has a different feeling. I know when I won my first Grand Slam it was such a great feeling being that my sponsor Motorola/Verizon Wireless was also the title sponsor of that tournament. For me to win the US OPEN would mean a lot for the fact that it is the longest running and original Grand Slam tournament. But, my focus is to play each match as it is the most important I have ever played, I believe great success comes from living in the moment.
Q: You recently signed a new deal with Motorola/Verizon Wireless, how did this transpire and what will it do for Motorola/Verizon Wireless?
A: The belief Motorola/Verizon Wireless has in me and in racquetball gives me great confidence. Personally, I believe my future is longer and brighter with them. They saw me play in Chicago at the IRT Motorola Pro Nationals last year and approached me there. Having them as a sponsor has helped me become more professional in dealing with anything to do with racquetball or business.
Q: You won the Motorola World Racquetball Championships at the start of the season, which is a Grand Slam event. If you win the US OPEN, you could possibly finish the season #1. Are you playing for #1?
A: Winning the Motorola/Verizon Wireless World Championships was the greatest win I have achieved so far in my career. My focus there was one match at a time and that is always my focus. If finishing #1 comes from that, it is only an added bonus. I just want to win every time I get on the court.
Q: With the growing interest in racquetball, indoor and outdoor, cable television programming, major corporate sponsors, and other industry developments, what do you see as the next big step for the sport?
A: I believe everyone will see all the top professionals on a major tv network soon.This also includes taking the new four wall glass court and putting it in front of the public and taking professional racquetball out of the clubs. Once people see it up close, they will be amazed.
Q: What has racquetball brought to your life and how do you embrace that?
A: I have been given so much through racquetball. I met my wife playing racquetball, I have made a career out of it, and I cannot imagine racquetball not being a part of my life in the future. I love to play, but I also love to teach and share knowledge about the game. I plan on making racquetball apart of my life as long as I can, I love this game.
