Rocky Carson
Encyclopedia
Rocky Carson is an American professional racquetball
player (born May 21, 1979). Carson is the current racquetball World Champion
, a title he also won in 2008
. Carson was the #1 player on the International Racquetball Tour
(IRT) at the end of the 2007-08 season., and finished ranked 3rd at the end of the 2009-10 season. A California native, Carson developed his game outdoors, and is known for an unorthodox game style that makes his opponents do the work. In 2008, he became the first man to hold the World Outdoor Championship, International Racquetball Federation (IRF; indoor) World Championship, and US Open titles simultaneously.
title. He began to play the pro tour seriously in 1998-99, and won his first tournament in the 2002-03 season. Prior to the 2007-08 season Carson had only won 3 tournaments, but that was his breakout season, as he won 7 tournaments including the US Open and finished the season as the #1 IRT player.
and 2008
World Championships
, silver in 2000, and bronze in 2004 and 1998. Carson is the current Pan American Games gold medalist, which was his second Pan Am Games medal, as he won bronze in 2003
. Carson was part of Team USA that were finalists in the 2011 Pan Am Games team competition.
He also won gold at the 2001 Pan American Championships and bronze in the 2002 Pan Am Championships. Carson took silver at the 2009 World Games
.
In his only doubles appearance he and Jack Huczek
took silver at the 2006 World Championships
, losing the final to the Mexican team of Javier Moreno and Alvaro Beltran
.
In all, Carson has been a member of Team USA on 11 occasions: nine times as a singles player and once as a doubles player. He played in six IRF World Championships
: 1998, 2000, 2004, 2006
, 2008
, and 2010
, two Pan American Championships in 2001 and 2002, and two Pan American Games
in 2003 and 2011.
Carson has won the US Nationals five times, first in 2000, then again in 2003, 2006, 2008 and 2010. He also won the US National doubles title three consecutive years from 2004-2006 with partner Jack Huczek
.
Racquetball
For other sports often called "paddleball", see Paddleball .Racquetball is a racquet sport played with a hollow rubber ball in an indoor or outdoor court...
player (born May 21, 1979). Carson is the current racquetball World Champion
Racquetball World Championships
The World Racquetball Championships, organized by the International Racquetball Federation , were first held in 1981. The second World Championships were in 1984, and have been held every two years since.The World Championships have two parts...
, a title he also won in 2008
2008 Racquetball World Championships
The 14th Racquetball World Championships were held in Kingscourt from August 2 to 9, 2008, with 22 men's national teams and 15 women's national teams; and several players in the Singles and Doubles competition.-Men's team competition:...
. Carson was the #1 player on the International Racquetball Tour
International Racquetball Tour
The International Racquetball Tour is the professional series that features the world's best racquetball players and the most important pro events, mostly played in the USA....
(IRT) at the end of the 2007-08 season., and finished ranked 3rd at the end of the 2009-10 season. A California native, Carson developed his game outdoors, and is known for an unorthodox game style that makes his opponents do the work. In 2008, he became the first man to hold the World Outdoor Championship, International Racquetball Federation (IRF; indoor) World Championship, and US Open titles simultaneously.
Professional career
Carson has won 12 IRT tournaments in his career, with the highlight being his 2007 US Open Racquetball ChampionshipsUS Open Racquetball Championships
The US Open racquetball championship is widely acknowledged as the premier professional racquetball event. It is a Grand Slam event with men and women competing from the International Racquetball Tour and Women's Professional Racquetball Organization, respectively. It also includes divisions for...
title. He began to play the pro tour seriously in 1998-99, and won his first tournament in the 2002-03 season. Prior to the 2007-08 season Carson had only won 3 tournaments, but that was his breakout season, as he won 7 tournaments including the US Open and finished the season as the #1 IRT player.
Domestic and international career
Carson won gold at the 20102010 Racquetball World Championships
The 15th Racquetball World Championships are being held in Seoul from August 13 to 21, 2010, with 16 men's national teams and 11 women's national teams; and several players in the Singles and Doubles competition....
and 2008
2008 Racquetball World Championships
The 14th Racquetball World Championships were held in Kingscourt from August 2 to 9, 2008, with 22 men's national teams and 15 women's national teams; and several players in the Singles and Doubles competition.-Men's team competition:...
World Championships
Racquetball World Championships
The World Racquetball Championships, organized by the International Racquetball Federation , were first held in 1981. The second World Championships were in 1984, and have been held every two years since.The World Championships have two parts...
, silver in 2000, and bronze in 2004 and 1998. Carson is the current Pan American Games gold medalist, which was his second Pan Am Games medal, as he won bronze in 2003
Racquetball at the 2003 Pan American Games
This page shows the results of the Racquetball Competition for men and women at the 2003 Pan American Games, held from August 1 to August 17, 2003 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.-Singles:-Doubles:-Singles:-Doubles:-Medal table:...
. Carson was part of Team USA that were finalists in the 2011 Pan Am Games team competition.
Racquetball at the 2011 Pan American Games
Racquetball competitions at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara will be held from October 17 to October 25 at the Racquetball Complex...
He also won gold at the 2001 Pan American Championships and bronze in the 2002 Pan Am Championships. Carson took silver at the 2009 World Games
Racquetball at the World Games
Racquetball was part of the 1985 World Games in London and 1993 World Games in Den Haag. Also, racquetball was part of the first World Games in 1981 at Santa Clara...
.
In his only doubles appearance he and Jack Huczek
Jack Huczek
Jack Huczek is an American professional racquetball player. Huczek was the #1 men's professional player at the end of the 2006-2007 International Racquetball Tour season, and was #3 at the end of the 2008-09 season. Retired from Professional Racquetball on May 24, 2011...
took silver at the 2006 World Championships
2006 Racquetball World Championships
The 13th Racquetball World Championships were held in Santo Domingo from August 3 to 13, with 22 men's national teams and 18 women's national teams in the national teams competition; and several players in the Singles and Doubles competition.-Men's team competition:-Men's final standings:-Women's...
, losing the final to the Mexican team of Javier Moreno and Alvaro Beltran
Alvaro Beltran
Alvaro Beltrán , is a Mexican professional racquetball player. Beltrán was ranked fourth on the International Racquetball Tour at the end of the 2008-09 season during which Beltrán was the only player to beat Kane Waselenchuk, who was the #1 player that season...
.
In all, Carson has been a member of Team USA on 11 occasions: nine times as a singles player and once as a doubles player. He played in six IRF World Championships
Racquetball World Championships
The World Racquetball Championships, organized by the International Racquetball Federation , were first held in 1981. The second World Championships were in 1984, and have been held every two years since.The World Championships have two parts...
: 1998, 2000, 2004, 2006
2006 Racquetball World Championships
The 13th Racquetball World Championships were held in Santo Domingo from August 3 to 13, with 22 men's national teams and 18 women's national teams in the national teams competition; and several players in the Singles and Doubles competition.-Men's team competition:-Men's final standings:-Women's...
, 2008
2008 Racquetball World Championships
The 14th Racquetball World Championships were held in Kingscourt from August 2 to 9, 2008, with 22 men's national teams and 15 women's national teams; and several players in the Singles and Doubles competition.-Men's team competition:...
, and 2010
2010 Racquetball World Championships
The 15th Racquetball World Championships are being held in Seoul from August 13 to 21, 2010, with 16 men's national teams and 11 women's national teams; and several players in the Singles and Doubles competition....
, two Pan American Championships in 2001 and 2002, and two Pan American Games
Pan American Games
The Pan-American or Pan American Games are a major event in the Americas featuring summer and formerly winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Pan American Games are the second largest multi-sport event after the Summer Olympics...
in 2003 and 2011.
Carson has won the US Nationals five times, first in 2000, then again in 2003, 2006, 2008 and 2010. He also won the US National doubles title three consecutive years from 2004-2006 with partner Jack Huczek
Jack Huczek
Jack Huczek is an American professional racquetball player. Huczek was the #1 men's professional player at the end of the 2006-2007 International Racquetball Tour season, and was #3 at the end of the 2008-09 season. Retired from Professional Racquetball on May 24, 2011...
.