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Carlos Alcaraz expressed his admiration for the Rocky movie franchise, revealing that he uses the movies and songs from them as inspiration, particularly in the build-up to matches. Alcaraz prefers listening to the popular song 'Eye of the Tiger' and other songs from Rocky films during his routine ahead of every match and has been doing the same during the ongoing Miami Open.
Alcaraz kept his title defense alive with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Tommy Paul on Tuesday and moved into the quarterfinals. The World No. 1 has won nine matches and 18 sets in a row and is now three wins away from also clinching the Sunshine Double.
Speaking after the match, Alcaraz said that he does not enjoy any other movies more than the various Rocky films. The 19-year-old revealed how he and his team keep their spirits up before a match.
"I have the Rocky movies all the time in mind, all songs are about Rocky," Carlos Alcaraz said during an interview with Prakash Amritraj for Tennis Channel.
"Every match-day, in the car coming here (Miami Open), I put three songs of Rocky. Eye of the Tiger and some other music from movies of Rocky, with my team singing. It's something to motivate me," he added.
Alcaraz will look to channel all the energy and motivation he gets from Rocky into his quarterfinal against American No. 1 Taylor Fritz, a match that holds blockbuster potential. Alcaraz and Fritz have never faced each other on tour before.
The Spaniard is aiming to become the youngest man ever to win the Sunshine Double.
Carlos Alcaraz exudes confidence ahead of Miami Open clash against Taylor Fritz
Carlos Alcaraz previewed his 2023 Miami Open quarter-final against Taylor Fritz, expressing confidence in his ability to get past a serious challenge from the World No. 10 if he can maintain his current level of tennis. Reflecting on the match against Paul, the Spaniard was particularly impressed with his defense and counter-attacking skills.
"I played a really great match and I hope to play the same level in the quarter-final," Alcaraz said after winning against Paul, as per ATP. "I moved well and defended well and I counter-attacked and I think if I play at that same level I will have a lot of chances to get through."
If he gets past Fritz, Alcaraz could face Jannik Sinner, with whom he has already built an enthralling rivalry, in the semifinals later this week. The Italian faces surprise quarterfinalist Emil Ruusuvuori in the final-eight. Alcaraz and Sinner recently played at Indian Wells in another semi-final, with the Spaniard winning 7-6(4), 6-3.
