Drive to Survive, But Tennis
Words by Takuma Ohashi (he/him)
Where To Watch Break Point: Part 1 (5 episodes) released January 2023 on Netflix. Part 2 expected in June 2023.
Recommended Viewing Method: Have it playing in the background while cleaning the bathroom in your flat (yes, someone needs to clean it).
Like many, my interest in formula 1 (F1) began after watching the Netflix docuseries Drive to Survive. Tennis, a similarly global sport, recognised the spike in popularity that Drive to Survive created for F1 and decided to do their own imitation: Break Point.
Break Point doesn’t follow tennis’ superstars like Serena Williams or Novak Djokovic. Rather, it introduces us to Nick Kyrgios, Ajla Tomljanović, Matteo Berrettini, Ons Jabeur, Paula Badosa, Maria Sakkari, Taylor Fritz, Casper Ruud, and Félix Auger-Aliassime. The powers-that-be in tennis are betting on these players to bring new fans to the sport.
If you’re looking for a behind-the-scenes peek into a wholesome Italian family’s life, refer to episode two. You’ll find heartwarming scenes of Matteo Berrettini with his family; sharing a family meal on his balcony in Rome, discussing parmesan cheese in his kitchen, face-timing his grandmother while he’s in an ice bath after winning a match.
In episode four, Paula Badosa enters a tournament and loses earlier than expected. We see her in tears, discussing her battle with depression. Hearing professional athletes discuss mental struggles is surprising and refreshing. It’s a reminder that humans can be proud of how far we have come in de-stigmatising mental health challenges.
Similarly, episode one gives us insight into Nick Kyrgios’s struggles with mental health. Fun fact, I have played a doubles match against Kyrgios. It was in a junior tournament in Auckland in 2008, and Kyrgios and his partner were up against myself and partner Chester Espie. Thanks to Kyrgios (and many others before and since), I’ve experienced the pain of losing a match.
While watching Break Point, you may find yourself feeling a bit of jealousy. Not necessarily for the players’ lavish lifestyles, but for the opportunity they have to push themselves to the limit every week, discovering what they can achieve when they give their all. Rather than testing our limits day in day out, some of us settle for safer options, rationalising a decision to study business instead of philosophy.
Lastly, you should follow Cameron Norrie. He doesn’t feature in the show (yet). But he grew up in Tāmaki Makaurau, was ranked 8th in the world, and made the Wimbledon semi-finals last year. He represents Great Britain, but is a Kiwi player you can be incredibly proud of.
If you haven’t been hit by Netflix’s password sharing crackdown, perhaps multitask Break Point with a bathroom clean. Follow Norrie on Instagram and ring your mate who quit tennis at age 16 to let them know you now understand the struggles they went through. Then, dust off your racket and go hit a few yellow fuzzy balls.