'Break Point' Cancellation: Netflix Docuseries About Tennis PhenomsCancelled After 2 Seasons Due To Low viewership and Athletic Org's Meddling in Production
Netflix has cancelled its tennis docuseries Break Point after two seasons, stating that the show has not found its audience. The series, produced by the same team behind Formula 1: Drive to Survive, was intended to give tennis fans exclusive access to their favourite athletes off the court, but failed to tap into tennis' fandom. Instead, it frustrated fans and players alike with its narrative choices and production errors.
The series followed a group of young, rising tennis stars as they navigated the 2022 season, aiming to dethrone the sport's legends. However, many of the athletes profiled in the first season had epically doomed runs at the 2023 Australian Open, which began shortly after the series' debut. This was dubbed the "Netflix Curse" by fans and journalists, as the series was blamed for the athletes' poor performances. Break Point struggled to prove its authority with tennis fans and missed opportunities to go deeper into the sport.
The series also failed to address the various controversies and issues facing the sport and its players, including sexual assault and domestic violence allegations. Instead, it created more drama for the players on the court, with footage of Aryna Sabalenka smashing her racket in frustration after a US Open loss being leaked, and Andy Murray's mother, tennis coach Judy Murray, dragging the powers that be for sharing the private moment.
Break Point Season 2's controversial Alexander Zverev episode dominated conversation during the 2024 Australian Open, with Daniil Medvedev being asked point-blank to comment on it. "Series is not real life," he bluntly retorted. However, tennis fans couldn't help noticing that Medvedev, who attacked on-court interviews with more of what wrestling fans would term a "baby face" energy than that of a classic heel, seemed to yell, "Karma!" at his box after defeating Zverev in the AO Semi-Finals.