Tennis and television fans the world over can rejoice at the arrival of 'Break Point', the new Netflix docuseries that debuted on Friday after months of build-up.
Nick Kyrgios, Paula Badosa, Casper Ruud and Maria Sakkari are just some of the names who give detailed insight into their 2022 seasons. In what's been hailed as the successor to Formula 1's smash-hit success 'Drive to Survive', Break Point offers the kind of unprecedented access that Kyrgios believes could save the sport.
And although only five episodes of the first season have been released before the second half arrives in June, the show has already served up a healthy dose of quotable lines. Mirror Sport breaks down some of the most memorable soundbites from Break Point's opening salvo, including some funny, some sad, and some downright devilish.
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1. Nick Kyrgios: The Devil
The opening episode of the series is titled 'The Maverick' and delivers a detailed digest about Kyrgios and his background as one of the most controversial figures on the court. And it's not only members of the public who might find the Australian somewhat hard to swallow.
Stefanos Tsitsipas has more reason than most to dislike his peer considering he's lost four of his five meetings with Kyrgios. But the Greek star remains diplomatic on the matter as he gives his opinion of Kyrgios, explaining: "He's not a bad guy, but he becomes a devil when he enters the court."
Kyrgios thrived in front of Netflix's camera crew as he won the Australian Open doubles title with Thanasi Kokkinakis, then made his Grand Slam singles final debut against Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon. Despite his 'bad boy' reputation, however, girlfriend Costeen Hatzi agreed her star spouse is misunderstood: "He's not as crazy as everyone thinks he is."
2. "I want to die"
The life of a professional athlete isn't all glitz and glamour, and Paula Badosa has been candid regarding her struggles with mental health in the past. She works with a psychologist throughout the year but is still a work in progress despite rising to a career-best ranking of world No. 2 last year.
One particularly painful scene in the show showed the Spaniard detailing the depths she can sometimes sink to. “When I’m okay, I feel at home on court and I feel like this is my place," she said. "But I go from that to ‘get me out of here, I want to die.’”
3. "He's playing f*****g Nadal"
Taylor Fritz's girlfriend, Morgan Riddle, caught plenty of attention watching her beau from the stands throughout 2022, including his triumphant run at the latest edition of Indian Wells. And the American's partner put things in plain terms when describing the scale of his task in a final opposite an in-form Rafael Nadal.
"Playing guys like Nadal. Y'know, he can't get nervous," Riddle said to the camera from the comfort of Fritz's hotel room. "He can't even afford to get nervous for a second. He can't afford to get, like, tight on a certain shot, because he's playing f*****g Nadal."
When you're right, you're right. Fritz went on to beat Nadal in straight sets in front of a home crowd and claim his maiden Masters 1000 title on the ATP Tour, later confessing: "Nothing in the whole world can beat that feeling of winning."
4. "My life was spiralling out of control"
Break Point promises to benefit Kyrgios more than most athletes who feature given it's a chance for fans to gain a better understanding as to what formed his chaotic character. After bursting onto the elite tennis circuit aged 19 following a Wimbledon win over Rafael Nadal, Kyrgios revealed substance abuse played a large role in his trajectory.
"The first four, five years of my career, it was just so chaotic," said the Canberran before going on to specify how his partying was affecting his play. "My life was kind of spiralling out of control, drinking every single night."
The tennis world can be grateful that Kyrgios appears to have that side of things under control, thanks in part due to his more stable love life with Hatzi. His manager and friend, Daniel 'Horse' Horsfall, confessed "it was tough" having to go retrieve Kyrgios from hotels and houses before matches during those earlier phases of his career.
5. "Booooo!"
Tensions ran high at last year's French Open when rain threw a spanner in the works for Casper Ruud ahead of his fourth-round clash against Hubert Hurkacz. Organisers decided to cancel the Norwegian's outdoor practice session despite protests from him and his father/coach, Christian.
The pair are seen quarrelling with French Open staff in Episode 5 in an increasingly awkward scene, with plenty of bystanders watching on in awkward silence. It's then the quiet is broken up with a hilarious, low chorus of boos from spectators who had hoped to see Ruud in action, though it wasn't enough to turn the Ruuds' frowns upside down.
