Who will inherit the space of tennis geniuses? – 01/20/2023 – Marina Izidro

Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic… who will take their place?

This is one of the first questions in “Break Point”, a documentary series that premiered on Netflix and shows behind the scenes of the professional tennis circuit last season.

It’s a question that intrigues fans. Will anyone come close to what these geniuses did on and off the court? Is there a suitable substitute?

I watched the five episodes already released. “Break Point” focuses not on the stars, but on those who dream of being one. He creates stories around names like Felix Auger-Aliassime (7th in the ranking), Taylor Fritz (9th), Matteo Berrettini (14th), Ons Jabeur (2nd), Maria Sakkari (6th) and Paula Badosa (16th). Like other sports docuseries, the appeal is to look beyond what the cameras show at tournaments — drama, insecurities, preparation.

Undoubtedly, professional tennis players are extremely privileged beings – they travel the world, they are venerated, many earn fortunes. But there is a price that can be almost unbearable: a sometimes lonely life, extreme physical and mental pressure and absolute dedication. They describe the feeling of winning almost as an addiction. But in every tournament there are hundreds of losers and only one winner. For those who are not Nadal, be persistent.

At the same time, there seems to be so much admiration from younger people for their idols that it even gets in the way. In one scene, a tennis player has a defeated face just seeing Nadal next to him jumping from side to side, warming up, before facing him.

Getting out of their shadow is also difficult. Perhaps you’ve never heard of Ajla Tomljanovic, not even when the Aussie scored her biggest win of her life: defeating Serena in the last match of her career at the US Open. The image that remains is the farewell of the American owner of 23 Grand Slams, who revolutionized the game among women, not Ajla.

A candidate for the new queen of tennis no longer looks like she will inherit the crown. Naomi Osaka once took time off the court to tend to her mental health and now, pregnant, is out until at least 2023. Would current world number one Iga Swiatek, or Ons, fit the bill more? Time will tell, as well as whether the current best male on the planet, Carlos Alcaraz, will really be “the next Nadal”.

Others have talent, but controversy remains. Alexander Zverev and Nick Kyrgios have been accused by their ex-girlfriends of assault. The German once thrashed a referee’s chair with his racket. The Australian shot to fame at the age of 19 by beating Nadal, but assumes he doesn’t know how to deal with pressure and that tennis is just fun. He gets into trouble with the referees, curses spectators. They won’t really be idols.

The launch of the series coincided with the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year. Nadal, injured, has already been knocked out, raising speculation about when he will retire.

At some point, names like Djokovic and Andy Murray will also leave the circuit. The batten is so high that it doesn’t seem clear to whom the baton will pass. How to have the Serb’s efficiency, Federer’s technique and class, Nadal’s competitiveness, Murray’s resilience, Serena’s power?

They will never be replaced, but the sport is always hungry for new stars. And when the time comes, one of the rookies better be ready physically and mentally, so that the worst rival does not end up being themselves.

PRESENT LINK: Did you like this text? Subscriber can release five free hits of any link per day. Just click the blue F below.