Conrrado Moscoso may not have finished as the #1 player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) this year, but he played like he did on Sunday in the final of the Golden State Open in Pleasanton, California, where he beat Daniel De La Rosa, 15-4, 15-3. De La Rosa will be the #1 player for the year, which is his 3rd straight #1 finish.
It was a dominant performance by Moscoso. Consider that De La Rosa served first in game one, and went up 3-0. Yet he only got three points over the rest of the match.
Number 1 and out
Speaking after the match, De La Rosa said “finishing #1 in the world means a lot to me,” but he announced that he won’t be playing the IRT full time next year, as he pursues another sport. De La Rosa never said the sport aloud, but it’s well known that he plays pickleball, so presumably that will be his main focus going forward.
De La Rosa added that “it’s tough to leave racquetball,” as “it’s been my whole life since I was 5 years old.” He said “I’ll be playing a couple events here and there,” suggesting he's not completely going away, but added “I’m going to miss you guys a lot,” so it’s unclear what his participation will be going forward.
Our big question is whether De La Rosa will try to qualify for Team USA. 2024 is an International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships year, so the USA will want to have its best players there, and De La Rosa just began competing for the USA this year. Is that going to continue?
Casting doubt on De La Rosa’s Team USA participation is the fact that Alejandro Landa, who has been his doubles partner the last couple years announced his IRT retirement yesterday.
The portable court reappears
The Golden State Open was made special this year with the use of the portable court that was created for the US Open with the funding help of Leo and Susan Klimaitis. It was last seen at the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama.
There was a suggestion that the court would be used again at next year’s Golden State Open, but no word on if it will be used for other events.
The 2024 IRT season will begin in Sioux Falls, South Dakota with the Lewis Drug Pro-Am, January 25-28, 2024. If you missed any of the Golden State Open action played out on the portable court, check out the IRT YouTube channel.
2023 IRT Golden State Open presented by JMB
Pleasanton, California - December 7-10, 2023
IRT Singles - Final - Sunday
3) Conrrado Moscoso d. 1) Daniel De La Rosa, 15-4, 15-3
Follow the bouncing ball….
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