From the team behind F1: Drive to Survive, Break Point follows a select group of top tennis players on and off the court as they compete in grueling Grand Slams and tournaments all over the world. Their dream: lifting a trophy and becoming number one. As some of tennis’ legends reach the twilight of their careers, this is a chance for a new generation to claim the spotlight. Break Point gets up close and personal with these players over a year competing across the globe in ATP and WTA tours.
From career-threatening injuries and emotional heartbreak, to triumphant victories and personal moments off the court, viewers will get a behind the scenes look at the pressure-tested lives of some of the best tennis players in the world.
Episode 1 – The Maverick
Nick Kyrgios comes to the 2022 Australian Open as the ultimate outsider. His massive serve is matched only by his short fuse, and while he’s one hell of an entertainer, questions abound about whether or not he’s maximizing his talent. Once seen as the sport’s next superstar, he hasn’t played for months, and no one is certain if he’ll even be on the Tour next year. As Kyrgios struggles through the Singles bracket, his childhood friend Thanasi Kokkinakis is there to help him find the joy in his game once again. Can these two best mates pull off a Doubles upset for the ages?
Episode 2 – Take the Crown
The Australian Open kicks off amidst controversy as protests erupt over the country’s decision to deport defending champion Novak Djokovic. It’s a symbolic moment, as many of the past decade’s dominant players are absent from this tourney, opening the door for a new generation. World No. 7 Matteo Berrittini and No. 43 Ajla Tomljanovic are each hoping to take advantage of the opportunity to bag their first Grand Slam wins. They’ll need each other for support through the grueling early rounds of this event – because in a game that’s played as much in the mind as with the body, it takes more than physical skill to claim the biggest prize.
Episode 3 – California Dreaming
Played against the desert backdrop of Palm Springs, California, Indian Wells is sometimes known as “The Fifth Slam.” It’s considered a litmus test for the season, and with a relatively open field, some of the Tour’s best young players have room to make waves. For Maria Sakkari, a Greek powerhouse currently ranked No. 6, it’s a chance to overcome her mental demons and finally reach her potential. Meanwhile, top-ranked American male and California native Taylor Fritz could become the first American in over two decades to win his home state’s most iconic tournament. As both players cruise towards the finals, can either seize this career-changing opportunity?
Episode 4 – Great Expectations
Spain’s Paula Badosa rocketed up the rankings on her way to this year’s Madrid Open, entering the tournament as No. 2 in the world and the hometown favorite – but she’s been publicly open about her struggles with anxiety and depression, and the pressure of expectation isn’t helping. Meanwhile, Tunisian trailblazer Ons Jabeur has used her innate sense of determination and a wildly imaginative playing style to overcome a lack of resources; now ranked No. 10 in the world, she’s set her sights on the chance to be the first Arab and African player to win a major tournament. On the clay courts of Madrid, one of these inspiring women will stumble, and the other will soar.
Episode 5 – King of Clay
The French Open has never seen a more dominant player than Rafael Nadal, whose 13 championship wins coming into the 2022 season are unlikely to ever be matched. But two young players wait in the wings, both carrying pieces of Nadal’s legacy. On one side of the draw is Canadian prodigy Felix Auger-Aliassime. Ranked No. 9 and still looking for his first major win, Felix has recently enlisted Toni Nadal – Rafa’s uncle – as a coach. On the other side of the draw is Casper Ruud, a Norwegian clay court specialist who has spent years training at Nadal’s tennis academy, regularly sparring with the legend himself. Can either of these young men take down their idol on center court at Roland Garros, where Rafa reigns supreme?
Email: neill@outloudculture.com
