Emotion, displayed in the charged arena of professional tennis, is a real thing. But beyond those very visible highs and lows, it’s difficult to get a grip on just who the athletes are.
Cursory on-court interviews, and even the more detailed postmatch press conferences, don’t often reveal what’s happening behind the scenes. What is it that truly motivates these athletes, how are they really feeling as they attempt to carve out a career?
The Netflix series “Break Point” goes a long way toward pulling back the curtain and revealing the emotions churning just below the surface. Season 2 drops Wednesday and, whether you are a casual fan of a full-blown fanatic, it bears watching.
Six episodes, recounting the 2023 season, feature Hologic WTA Tour players Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, Maria Sakkari, and to a lesser extent, Coco Gauff, Ons Jabeur, Marketa Vondrousova and Ajla Tomljanovic. They allowed Box to Box Films inside their complicated worlds — including dynamic some interactions with their support teams — and the results range from exhilarating to agonizing.
Having cameras follow you around is a big deal,” Courier says early in Episode 1. “There has to be a part of these players that wants to put on their best face and present well for everyone. But if you’re distracted, you may not perform at your best.”
At one point, in a car headed to the plying venue, Sabalenka turns to the cameraman in the back seat and says, “I just feel uncomfortable because you are filming me.”
And then, laughing, turns and snaps on her head phones.
This is the underlying tension driving the series. Courier’s astute observations inform 2023’s swirling narratives, often providing valuable context. Naomi Osaka, who missed the entire year on pregnancy leave, sat down for an interview and serves a similar purpose.
Here are some of the notable sights, sounds and insights regarding the three players we see most often:Aryna Sabalenka