From the producers of hit Netflix series ‘Drive to Survive’, Break Point – which released in January at the start of the 2023 season – chronicles the lives of the key players of last year’s tennis season. Wondering how these players might fare at the BNP Paribas Open this year? We’ve got you covered, tracking their progress from start to finish.
⭕️ Nick Kyrgios – Did not enter.
The star of episode one, “The Maverick,” Kyrgios hasn’t had much of a 2023 season since undergoing knee surgery at the start of the Australian Open. No matter what you think about the polarizing player, he’s always one to keep an eye on at any tournament he’s entered in. It just won’t be at Indian Wells this year.
✅ Thanasi Kokkinakis – Qualified For Main Draw (d. [13] Matteo Arnaldi 6-4, 6-4)
He’s more than just Kyrgios’ childhood best friend, on-court cooling agent and doubles partner (they won the 2022 Australian Open men’s doubles title!); he’s also a wicked singles competitor who has had to overcome a litany of injuries in his career – and he’s finally carving his way to the top of the game. The 26 year old scored a pair of straight-sets wins in BNP Paribas Open qualifying this week, propelling himself into the main draw for just the second time in his career.
⭕️ Ajla Tomljanovic – Did not enter.
Like compatriot Kyrgios, Tomljanovic’s season never got underway as she rehabs her own knee injury. The likable Croatian-born Australian’s episode of Break Point showcased just how challenging it can be for players trying to grind up through the rankings on tour.
✅ Matteo Berrettini – In.
Berrettini was handed a nightmare draw at the Australian Open, facing (and losing in five sets to) the legendary Andy Murray in the first round. He’s struggled with some minor injuries this season, but the conditions – and his draw – are in his favor this year in the desert. He opens against either Roberto Carballes Baena or a qualifier.
✅ Maria Sakkari – In.
Who could forget Sakkari’s impressive run to the final at the BNP Paribas Open last year? She won over many fans with her character and work ethic last year – and even more so after the Break Point episode chronicling the runner-up finish. The 27-year-old from Athens is on the opposite side of the draw to conqueror Iga Swiatek, so a rematch in the final is within reason, but she’ll have to get past either Katie Volynets or Shelby Rogers in her first match.
✅ Taylor Fritz – In.
As you probably saw in the “California Dreaming” episode, defending champ Taylor Fritz went through all the adversity en route to the biggest title of his young career. defeating Rafael Nadal in the final last year after hurting his foot in the warm up. It’s been another good start to 2023 for the American No. 1, and he’ll be challenged by Ben Shelton or Fabio Fognini in his Saturday opener.
✅ Paula Badosa – In.
Badosa captured the hearts of fans when she openly discussed the toll that tennis can take on a player’s mental health. Battling through depression for much of her tennis career, she’s elevated the conversation around mental health in the sport following the fifth episode of Break Point. She won the BNP Paribas Open back in 2021, so she clearly loves the conditions here in the desert, but has a tricky potential third round against reigning Wimbledon champ Elena Rybakina.
✅ Ons Jabeur – In.
Also featuring in the “Great Expectations” episode of Break Point was fan-anointed “Minister of Happiness” Ons Jabeur. One of the nicest players on tour, Jabeur became the first Arab to reach a Grand Slam final at Wimbledon in 2022 (and then another just a few months later). She kicks off her Indian Wells campaign against either Maryna Zanevska or Lauren Davis.
✅ Felix Auger-Aliassime – In.
Canada’s Felix Auger-Alissime is one of the co-stars of the fifth and final episode of Break Point (Part 1), with the episode chronicling his near-heroics against Nadal in the fourth round of the French Open last season – all while being coached by Nadal’s own uncle, Toni. FAA hasn’t had much success playing at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, but has landed in a manageable section of the draw, facing either Marc-Andrea Huesler or Pedro Martinez in his first encounter.
✅ Casper Ruud – In.
In Break Point, we saw Casper Ruud’s dream run to the French Open final ended by the titlar King of Clay in three quick sets, but the Norweigan used that disappointment to leverage a career-best seasons capped off by runner-up finishes at the US Open and the NItto ATP Finals. It’s been a rocky start to 2023 for Ruud and his flashy forehand, but he’ll be looking to reset against Diego Schwartzman or Federico Coria to kick off his Indian Wells challenge.
Stay tuned as we track the results of all your favs from Netflix’s Break Point series throughout the tournament.
PS: Netflix just announced Season 2 is coming in 2024 – and has already started filming!
