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The second season of Netflix’s hit tennis docuseries Break Point launched Wednesday.
Visit Netflix to watch all six episodes from the season, with players featured including Taylor Fritz, Nick Kyrgios, Tommy Paul, Holger Rune, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe and Alexander Zverev.
ATPTour.com looks at the season’s final three episodes, including Alexander Zverev’s comeback from an ankle injury, a look at Jessica Pegula and Maria Sakkari’s journeys, and a battle among American stars Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton.
Episode 4: Unfinished Business - Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev suffered one of the most catastrophic tennis injuries in recent memory in the 2022 Roland Garros semi-finals. This episode brings fans behind the scenes of his road back to the top of the sport.
“In that moment, I thought that it was career-ending,” Zverev said of when he rolled over his ankle, tearing three ligaments.
From an early meeting with his surgeon to hurdles throughout the recovery process, Zverev showed fans everything about his comeback.
“The longer it went on, the more impatient I was getting,” he said. “You want it to happen as quick as possible, but it’s not realistic after an injury like that.”
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Episode 5: Now Or Never - Jessica Pegula and Maria Sakkari
Becoming one of the best players in the world is one thing. Winning the biggest titles is another. Netflix follows Jessica Pegula and Maria Sakkari as they try to make that jump.
Former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka said: “Sakkari and Jessica Pegula have been constantly reaching for that one trophy, but the longer that goes on, you put so much pressure on yourself and you kind of put it in this unattainable realm. You go into that thinking, ‘This is my last chance to make a mark’.”
Both Pegula and Sakkari suffer difficult losses. Pegula in particular seemed in good position to make a serious push for her first major at Wimbledon, but let slip a lead against eventual champion Marketa Vondrousova.
Pegula’s coach, David Witt, said: “I’ve probably only seen Jessica cry like twice. It hurts to see her like that.”
Sakkari regains some of her mojo by reaching the Washington final and Pegula shows why she is one of the very best in the world with a strong close to her 2023. But perhaps what was more telling was Pegula’s message to the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, a team owned by her family, during their training camp
“I know we come from two different sports, but I feel like athlete to athlete we can all relate to the same thing and that’s I know you guys want to win a Super Bowl, I want to win a Grand Slam,” Pegula said. “Trying to be great is f***ing hard, so it’s really tough. But if it was easy, everyone would be doing it. But I would say just enjoy the journey. The dream is the journey.”
Episode 6: Becoming The One - Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton
After a look at the battle for American No. 1 earlier in the season, the same characters — Fritz, Tiafoe and Paul — look to make their mark at their home Grand Slam championship: the US Open.
The American stars are close friends off the court, but it becomes clear that the US Open is different in many ways. They are all aiming to become the first American man to triumph at a major in two decades.
“We can’t be friends man, it’s done. It’s dead,” Tiafoe said. “They’re your friends, but they’re not really your friends. Things you want they want. They’re in your way to get food.”
As Fritz, Tiafoe and Paul work through the draw, they are ultimately outdone by another countryman: Ben Shelton.
Former World No. 1 Jim Courier said: “Ben Shelton is raw talent and ambition. He doesn’t come into the US Open with pressure or celebrity, fame. He is fearless.”
Shelton defeats Paul and Tiafoe en route to the semi-finals behind his booming serve, and makes clear he is determined to continue improving.
“Where does Ben Shelton go from here?” Shelton said, repeating a producer’s question. “Ben Shelton goes back to work.”
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