Break Point (2023–2024) User Reviews

It needs a different approach to the sport.

[PuckerFactor · 6/10 · 17 January 2023]

The jump cuts are annoying and the cheerleading sycophantic background commentary can be cringeworthy at times. The series needs a toned-down perspective rather than the fanfare it injects into every situation. Instead, we get contrived setups of personal moments (especially with ditzy girlfriends) and a whole episode on Nick Kyrgios throwing tantrums because he's a "misunderstood" and "troubled" boy...Oh boohoo! Give us a break!

A more subtle perspective with unguarded moments in training, traveling and the struggle to stay on form...more honest fly-on-the-wall stuff. What makes the great players great? And why are so many of the younger players not at the same level as Federer, Nadal and Serena were at their age? We need a more honest exposé on behind-the-scenes tennis rather than the over-dramatic off-the-shelf formula it presents.

Intimate Look Into the Life of an Athlete in One of the Most Mentally Demanding Sports in the World

[lovemichaeljordan · 8/10 · 13 January 2023]

You can know nothing about tennis and still enjoy this show. The rules are explained in a way everyone will understand. Simply watching highlights of a tennis match will not give you the same insight as this show does. Viewers will gain a new appreciation of the mental and physical tests tennis players go through.

Break Point is not so much about the game of tennis, it's about the people. Why are these people sacrificing their mental health for greatness? What motivates these players to take the extra step? Break Point is an intimate look into the life of an athlete of the highest caliber in one of the most mentally demanding sports in the world.

The absence of some of the greatest players is felt but does not change the fact that Break Point is a look at the behind-the-scenes of tennis, and it will undoubtedly bring more fans to the sport.

solid documentary so far

[StarOpus · 7/10 · 16 January 2023]

As a tennis fan I think it's important to show the inside of the sport which I think lacks access to the fans at times. Sport of more than about hitting a ball, it's about the history, the drama, the psychology and getting to know the players. A few of the players gave good access, I wish more would have done.

I was disappointed that the Novak drama in Australia was almost completely glossed over as that was the biggest tennis story of the year. A lot of the focus is on some of the up and coming players trying to make their big breakthroughs and this series was lucky enough to have access to some players having some big moments. For example, Nick Kyrgios gave access in what turned out to be a big breakthrough year for him in both singles and doubles. The series is definitely richer for that story despite a couple of reviewers crying about it and giving the whole series a low rating because of it. I think sport is a lot more boring without its characters.

This documentary gives a good balance between the male and female side of tennis, I do wish some of the bigger names were involved with this though, such as Roger, Rafa and Novak, along with some more of the legends of the sport. The contrast between the established at the top of the sport with the up and coming players with more of the input of the legends could have made with more compelling. Still, I enjoyed this so far and am looking forward to the next instalment in the Summer.

Break Point

[twentyviii · 6/10 · 14 January 2023]

I love tennis, so I feel like this definitely could've been done better. I'm not entirely sure I liked the player focused episodes-I enjoy seeing how they prepare and overcome/deal with criticism and frustration, but if it had just been tour focused the ground covered could have been better. I know Drive to Survive has specific talking points and is sometimes driver focused, but it really makes you feel like F1 is this big great thing you want to be a part of-this is lacking on the tennis side. It's sort of like "A week in the lives of" instead of the ATP and WTA tour. The best episode was the one where the new kids are trying to figure out how to beat Rafa-and it only kept my interest high because, well, Rafa. Also, why is Maria Sharapova in this? Roddick does commentary, so I see how his points of view would be insightful-he knows a bit more about this next-gen class. Anyway, I'm obviously going to keep watching, but as I said-I love tennis, and even I was bored during some points of the show.

unbelievable and super exciting series to watch!

[lucifer345 · 10/10 · 20 January 2023]

I enjoyed this show so soo sooo much! I stopped playing professional tennis two years ago. It was awful, cuz i have loved it. This series made me want to play again. Its unbelievable! Fascinating! And super-duper exciting! Like "your heart starts beating faster"... tho its good if u know the rules of a tennis match, in my opinion someone who never played tennis before can also enjoy it.

Plus i am crazy excited about the next season. It's gonna be even better!!

One thing i'd critisize as a federer and berettini fan is: the most finals and matches they show are against Rafael Nadal, and sadly no one could beat him in this series, in the clips they showed. I felt like it's really about nadal and not about the young players... but yes whatever i understand , this is how it happened. This is life.

Tennis is life.

Hard to get through

[ari20981 · 6/10 · 14 January 2023]

Being a huge tennis fan I was a bit disappointed with the series. I was put off when I saw that an entire episode was dedicated to Nick Kyrgios! He may be talented but has zero ethics and is a horrible example for future generations.

The show walks through the ups and downs that pro tennis players go through and the turning points in the careers of players like Taylor Fritz, Maria Sakkari etc. After a point it becomes less engaging and tedious to watch as the pattern keeps repeating in each episode with a different set of players.

I really doubt if the new generation of tennis players will match the class and sportsmanship shown by the big three - this show seems like a desperate attempt to bring attention to them and keep the sport alive!

Enjoyable but not much new for tennis fans

[ukxenafan1 · 9/10 · 14 January 2023]

I'm a big tennis fan, and mostly women's tennis. For anyone who follows the sport, there is nothing that revealing but it is still good to see behind the scenes a bit. I can't stand Nick Kyrgios so the way he was pushed as the mercurial, misunderstood genius was irritating. Let's hope they include him being charged in a domestic abuse case in the next part!

Obviously only certain players signed up, so there are many, many people who had a significant role in tennis in the early months of 2022 that were not covered. Ash Barty won the singles title at the 2022 Australian Open - a much bigger deal than Kyrgios and the doubles - was far and away the world number one, yet she walked away from tennis in February. Not covered at all! Still, I do hope non-tennis fans are drawn in to a terrific sport.

Why is Kyrgios the first episode?

[todd-ramirez · 7/10 · 15 January 2023]

Disclaimer: 17 minutes into the first episode here.

As a huge tennis fan, I question the choice of player in the first episode: Kyrgios. At the moment he is the most controversial - you might say one you love to hate - and if, like in Formula 1, you want to attract new fans to the sport, you will turn them off instead. What's worse, viewers might think all tennis players are like Kyrgios. They are not. Most behave like human beings who are able to accept losing and are respectful of opponents, officials and the rules. They generally exhibit basic human decency. Kyrgios is the exception.

I may update this review after watching more episodes.

A good glimpse into the toughness of tennis

[gergelyjandrasits · 8/10 · 15 January 2023]

Very enjoyable portraits of the new(er) generation who will have very little time winning anything after the big 3 is gone and before Alcaraz and co. Kick in the door. Shows very well how mentally tough tennis is beyond the obvious physical aspects. I cannot understand people (also in the reviews) who dare to question some players who sometimes don't handle the immense pressure 100% correct...but haters gonna hate. One thing that baffled me in the series though is that they dedicated a mere minute to one of the (if not the) biggest comebacks in tennis history in episode 2. Otherwise good insights, suspenseful scenes, great atmosphere.

Great mix of insight for tennis newcomers and existing fans alike

[trevorbarlow23 · 8/10 · 24 February 2023]

Honestly, this is the exact type of result I was hoping for when the series was announced.

Each player has a different personality, playing style, and the episode leans into the personality and reputation that each player already has, while adding enough alternate perspectives to satisfy any opinion that viewers might have.

The best aspect of the series is the behind-the-scenes look at the mental toll that tennis takes on players. Easily the most under appreciated part of the game for newcomers or casual watchers.

Overall, definitely worth the watch. An accurate portrayal of the complexity and diversity of the ATP tour.

Too much Instagram

[lesiopiwo · 4/10 · 16 January 2023]

For most of it, I felt it was more of an Instagram platform for tennis players girlfriends than tennis players themselves. I hope the next part will be more professional, more tennis oriented. However, I like the whole psychology of the game, the stamina of the players and all the insights. Hopefully more of this in future episodes. Also , please include more new faces, more newcomers , young players and concentrate more on their relationships with their coaches and family, how they spend the free time, than short relationships with the models. How about more information on famous tennis venues around the world? This could be an endless series if done right !

Solid start to Part

[antonyp-42221 · 8/10 · 16 January 2023]

If you're a tennis fan (or not) and looking for juiciness, this may just be the show for you.

A strong & personal look into the livelihoods of some of the best, male and female, tennis players in the world and the individual hardships & pressures they face.

Being a huge tennis fan, I was very hyped for this show, especially coming from the creator of Drive to Survive. Break Point certainly did not disappoint. It really depicts the underlying drama that players battle behind the scenes of every tournament and every match. The show is undoubtedly well edited and though slightly disappointed by certain stars like Carlos Alcaraz & Tsitsipas only in passing, I'm really looking forward to Part 2.

Solid start

[vinstroke · 8/10 · 25 December 2023]

I thoroughly enjoyed this first season and I really hope the second is as good if not better. Break point is a solid start to introducing tennis players and the game of tennis. Their motivations, their mental and physiological struggles, the pressure. If you played tennis you will understand how the mental pressures effect you in this game. Break Point really shines in the study of the mental pressures of tennis. The cinematography is fantastic, followed by stunning footage of locations and tennis arenas around the globe, The sounds and music pull you in, making you feel immersed in the world these tennis players are in. I need to mention the sounds, wow, it really brings the excitement. Slow motion shots, with some background music, give me more. If this show maintains what it's currently doing and adds a little more about the technical side of tennis, this would be close to a 10 out of 10 for me. Solid start, hopefully they don't drop the ball. ;)

Commercialized for a viewer & Just Ok!

[dailydesigndata · 13 January 2024]

Ok but nothing substantial exempt Sabalenka, Rune & glimpse of MEDVEDEV. No comment - Djokovic is a super star.

Fame took over Tiafoe! He won a good match against Nadal! And? That's it? So what? It is not an even quarter final. But could not pull thru since. Hire a shrink if u want 2 be in a history books! Disappointed to watch these series and real matches with him playing.

Same with Fritz! Commercialism! But he is a great player!

Zverev! Fantastic! All best players are related to Russia in one way or another! But this person is a girl friend beater and Netflix omits an ongoing law suit! Shame!!!! Take responsibility!

I'm a tennis fanatic so any inside show on the players I welcome!

[johnnybravoctk · 10/10 · 30 March 2024]

But for some reason, some people don't like....everything. Lol People are angry that Novak, Iga, Rafa, Sinner and Alcaraz aren't on the show. Well you can't force them to be. I'm sorry but that's not how it works. In fact, I think it's more interesting to not be following the top players as we get so much coverage of them anyways. In fact, I kind of wish they had done an episode or 2 (one with a young person and another with an aging veteran) with some of the Challengers level players to see how those guys and gals are fighting to just survive. That would have been SUPER interesting. Apparently, the show has been canceled. I just don't get it. Was it perfect? No. But more inside tennis content is more inside tennis content. People are INSANE.

Bring back Edmund Butt - Season 1 OST was MUCH better!

[fatihist · 9/10 · 16 January 2024]

First of all kudos to the production team. This documentary brought me back to my childhood passion. I grew up watching Boris Becker and Steffi Graf.

The way the first season evoked emotions really touched me. I realized the composer Edmund Butt has a huge role in this. It actually is the best soundtrack I listened in the last couple of years. Just amazing atmosphere created by the music. I am actually hooked by it and looking for the OST but not able to find it anywhere. So please bring back Edmund Butt. Composer in the second season cannot fill his place.

Besides the music, I loved how the series often touch upon the mental aspect of the tennis game. I feel like I am watching a Tony Robbins kind of content.

So many stories to tell, but so few are told.

[nyzgg · 5/10 · 16 January 2023]

In the first episode, they talk about 164 male players, and 164 female players vying for a trophy at the Australian Open. I was hopeful to hear about some of the stories, but each episode seems to focus on only one or two people, so I found this lack of storytelling very disappointing.

I think this Netflix series is likely made for casual tennis fans, but if you follow the sport closely, you already know all about Nick Kyrgios for example, so the first episode felt like a waste of time

At this point, I've seen the first two episodes, and I am not very inspired to keep watching, but I will, and I think they will continue to focus on very few players. I just don't understand the decision to showcase, in the previews how many wonderful athletes there are in tennis and then to never talk about them.

Good stories, bad on-court camera work

[abhinav-manchanda · 5/10 · 3 February 2023]

Except for the first episode, I really liked the behind the scenes stories. To see some of my favourite players up close describing their journeys is very nice.

But as soon as we shift to scenes from an actual on-court match, the camerawork is horrible! They don't show the tennis, instead they show players up close in slow-motion as if they're showing a James Bond movie. That is very frustrating and spoils the episode each time.

For example, in the match between Nadal and Berretini or Swiatek and Sakkari, they kept talking about the drop shot or the incredible speed, but would not respect the game or the viewer enough to actually show some tennis.

It seems like Netflix has decided that the only way to sell the series is to make it like a cheap action movie, and not focus on actual tennis at all.

Good idea but pretty boring

[Aleigh558 · 3/10 · 17 January 2023]

Obviously made off the back of the success of Drive to Survive but this seriously lacked the drama. Too much focus on the background of the players, none of which were particularly interesting and not enough about the actual tennis.

Lots of focus on the younger up and coming players and not enough on the household names. I think a mixture of the two would have held my interest more. I enjoy tennis and didn't enjoy this documentary series, I can imagine if you are new to tennis this would not get you interested. I found it easy to fall asleep through the majority of the episodes. Do not recommend.

If you like watching tantrums

[cindyrellaexists · 5/10 · 14 January 2023]

I hated the first episode. Can someone tell Nick Kyrgios that the whole tantrum thing has been done and he should get over himself.

Every generation it's clear that the sportsmanship from these athletes just gets less and less.

Boo hoo you had a hard life....who hasn't?!

Poor me I'm under so much pressure...who isn't?!

The level of skill these players have is impressive but as the games get better the players get worse. It's a game. You're not saving lives young men. Go fight a forest fire...go volunteer in a trauma unit and then tell me about pressure. These athletes are such a joke to the sport. Get a grip on yourselves.

there is no point without the King of this game ,where is the KING ?

[nmdj89 · 1/10 · 5 February 2023]

And where is number 1?

Great Mr. DJOKOVIC The best series of all time should be made about him, The greatest Novak DJokovic - Father of this game called tennis.

In a sport like tennis it is very difficult to play alone and rely on yourself against an opponent, individual sport and mental strength, When someone appears who is strong both physically and mentally and knows how to deal with an opponent, he manages to leave a mark in that sport. There are not even any older legends in this series.

But still the most disappointing thing is that when someone from a small country appears and who fights against the whole world and persistently wins and fights like no one has ever done before in this sport, someone who has a hard life and just because of that stubbornness and that strength wins everything injustices and writes the history of this sport.

We attend and enjoy watching the greatest ever player who breaks all boundaries and as the greatest gentleman proudly carries his cross with his head held high and represents the greatest fighter against all injustices and obstacles.

But still he deserves a special series about himself and his life, desire, will, struggle of renunciation, effort and then the greatest success of all time, the series would probably have many series starting from the beginning of his career until today, and who knows how many more victories and successes ours is waiting with this man who does not plan to stop, but tramples everything in front of him and sets limits in this sport, writing history.

I thank him for that and I wish him on behalf of all of us that in red and white, in our oath, I sang a verse, I swear with my heart and soul and body, I will cheer you on, Novak. . .

Lots of luck and success, one and only invincible The greatest of all Novak DJokovic Number 1 of all time, Father of this sport called tennis Without him, this series makes no sense to me...

One of the greatest games of all time Nadal vs Medvedev is just 15 seconds of screen time. Rest nothing worth watching

[dariuszkolka · 2/10 · 17 June 2023]

I've been really excited when Netflix show "Break Point" came out.

However, after episode 2 I've turned this para-document off.

These 2 episodes concentrate on the 2022 Australian Open, which was one of the best grand slams of all time.

So for people who don't know tennis, it would be a great place to start.

Why it didn't work for me?

Small Spoiler: Sadly, Netflix showed this tournament as boring two weeks.

With no sense of direction. Focusing on Australian Player Nick Kyrgios, who did nothing that year, lost in second round.

This player is not a model for young people to follow, he has no charisma to make people watch this sport however, he has different skin color and Netflix needs to be politically correct.

For fans of Nick: Yes he won doubles with his friend Thanasi Kokkinakis that year, but the whole tournament Kokkinakis was showing maturity and cold blood, and was deadly while Nick,

well Nick because of his behavior of throwing rocket on the ground, almost made them disqualified in the previous match. WHAT A ROLE MODEL.

Last set of the final match showed Kokkinakis skills as he took over the game. He is a true champion.

AND YOU ARE SHOWING NICK AS ONE OF THE GREATEST?

2nd Episodes focused on the rest male tennis players, however just the young generation.

One of the greatest games of all time Nadal vs Medvedev is just 15 seconds of screen time.

And you could edit it so good, make it so dramatic and show new generations WHY Tennis is so GREAT SPORT.

Emotions, ups and downs... everything what is good and bad in human.

BUT you didn't..... Focusing on politically correct messages.

Netflix will be netflix...

Of course, if you want to watch it be my guest, you doing it at your own risk, cos there is nothing to watch.

Maria Sharapova that cheating doping crook??

[Mr_McPickle · 1/10 · 16 January 2023]

The documentary speaks about great players and young talents coming up in the world of tennis yet were forced to listen to Maria Sharpiva that cheating doping crook who stole feom women's tennis??? Are people that dumb to allow her this role? Maria Sharapova stole from women's tennis because she ised illegal performance enhancing drugs. Don't support her. Maria Sharapova stole from women's tennis because she ised illegal performance enhancing drugs. Don't support her. Maria Sharapova stole from women's tennis because she ised illegal performance enhancing drugs. Don't support her. Maria Sharapova stole from women's tennis because she ised illegal performance enhancing drugs. Don't support her.

Marketing only, too far from reality

[Marmotte123 · 1/10 · 16 January 2024]

No spoiler: this show is marketing only which is way too far from reality. It attracts viewers without explaining tennis itself. I'm sorry but Netflix will have to stop doing shows like Drive to Survive and Point Break: both shows give a completely distorted image of F1 and tennis.

This show attracts a young public who knows nothing to tennis and is unable to read or understand any sort of content with a duration of more than 3 minutes.

I'm asking again for this show to be cancelled exactly as I did for Drive to survive.

I don't exactly know why I need to write 600 words when I explained everything during the 1st sentence.

Disappointed

[Katie_Magenta · 5 February 2024]

Similar to another review, for me it felt like season 2 seemed to have more coverage of the male players model girlfriends than coverage of the female tennis players.

I understand that we're seeing an insight into the players lives but the gratuitous coverage of the female partners, who didn't seem to bring much to the narrative and only seem to have been included if they fitted the correct Instagram profile, became quite tedious to me. So much so, that I was completely losing interest towards the end of the season.

I came here for the tennis, not the fame and celebrity status surrounding it.