Why Break Point is Netflix's worst sports docuseries

#1 - Things are a little more PG nowadays

Unlike Netflix’s hit series Drive to Survive or Unchained, Break Point doesn’t paint quite the rockstar image of tennis players off the court. Guardian writer Jack Seale references the comparison between Drive to Survive and Break Point when he says - “Blokes who race cars are gossipy playboys enjoying a sport full of controversy, political manoeuvres, garish eccentricity and the real risk of fiery death. Tennis cannot compete with that: the big dramas happen inside the players’ heads.” The reality is, he’s right. Team docuseries have always been that touch more enticing for viewers. It’s not primetime television listening to whether or not Matteo Berrettini likes his pasta al dente.

The individuality of tennis, blended with the strict professionalism at the top level, doesn't create a recipe for captivating entertainment. Unlike la belle époque, the sport's golden era, today’s players are constantly plugged into social media, living in fear that any hint of controversy or uncensored behavior could put their precious endorsements at risk.

If this docuseries was shot as a flashback series showcasing the tour in the 70’s or 80’s, there would have been a lot more cigarettes, drugs, drinking and the players would have probably been a little rougher around the edges, which ultimately makes for more compelling television. I’d imagine the pilot series would have gone something like this:

Episode 1: Boris Becker: Getting kinky with Nobu waitress in the restaurant broom cupboard

Episode 2: Behind the scenes with the who’s who of doping

Episode 3: Pete Sampras: Poker Club with Hollywood’s A-listers

#2 - Lazy journalism

Break Point was, in reality, a test - an obvious attempt to re-energize the sport and introduce the future faces set to take over from the Big Four. Unfortunately, the production team seemed to have fumbled the execution. The editing was careless, with slow-motion shots showing players hitting forehands only to switch to a backhand follow-through, or serving from the deuce side and landing on the ad side in the next frame. To make matters worse, they explained the rules of tennis not once, but twice. Ultimately, viewers were left watching a dry version of the lives of tomorrow's tennis stars, wrapped in subpar journalism.

#3 - Player’s don’t kiss and tell

Studies going back have highlighted how athletes, after spending so much time in high-pressure environments, often feel inclined to blow off steam. I think it’s safe to assume this applies for non-athletes as well (for better or worse). The Olympic Village is widely known for just that, where athletes from around the world gather every four years for what is considered the largest open-invite orgy and international blowout.

Tennis players not-so-differently, spend normally 2-4 weeks on the road, going from tournament to tournament, and at the end of your run you’ll find yourself knocked out the draw, with a couple days to go, along with probably 20 other players. You’re in a foreign country, there’s a 2-day window until your flight home, so what is there left to do? You might spend the couple hundred bucks in profit you made from prize money on a few beers.

Especially on the Futures Tour, the lowest of the three tours, players ranked anywhere from 200 to 1,000 in the world compete in far more chaotic environments across the globe. You might find yourself in jungle warfare in Mexico, where temperatures reach 110 degrees, many players are battling severe diarrhoea, some are cheating both on and off the court, and the assistant referee is pocketing half the prize money. At the end of the week, the players may come together to haggle a rep for a few nightclub tickets.

After only two years on the pro tour, I can safely say I’ve heard my fair share of career ending stories. Whether it’s players doping, relationship drama or off-court politics, there’s definitely a few aces floating around the ether! But like the Ivy Leagues have an honor code for students, there’s a mutual understanding that players know better than to kiss and tell. So, much of the entertainment and debauchery that occurs between players, coaches, physios and even tournament organizers is usually kept under wraps.