The streaming platform Netflix starts the year with an ace. In break point, a 10-episode documentary series, the world of professional tennis is presented without makeup. For better or for worse, this monster production is staring straight ahead, because the future is now.
Neither Roger Federer, nor Rafael Nadal, nor Novak Djokovic are featured in this new project launched this Friday. Netflix has instead bet on new faces.
Even if it is practiced on all continents, tennis remains a sport requiring a certain visibility. This is why the ATP, together with the WTA and the governance of the four Grand Slam tournaments, accepted Netflix’s proposal to make a tennis version of the worldwide success Drive to Survivein Formula 1.
“We wanted to bring this sport to the screens of a new audience to introduce them to this sport, and the characters and athletes who shape it,” explained Nick Bourne, of ATP Media, strategic director of the series, during the presentation. a media carousel organized on Thursday.
It was also essential to tell the story of these international stars. In their moments of glory as in their failures.
“These remarkable athletes all have incredible stories and it’s a privilege to be able to step into their lives,” said James Gay-Rees, executive producer of the series.
According to Hugues Léger, general manager of Tennis Montreal and specialist in sports marketing, this series could put an end to certain prejudices. “Tennis has always been perceived as a bourgeois sport, exclusive, perhaps limited to certain people, he specifies, but when you go to one of the biggest online listening platforms in the world, it democratizes the tennis. »
A new era
For a whole season, the production followed Nick Kyrgios, Matteo Berrettini, Ajla Tomljanović, María Sákkari, Taylor Fritz, Paula Badosa, Ons Jabeur, Casper Ruud and Félix Auger-Aliassime, among others.
PHOTO MARK BAKER, ASSOCIATED PRESS The Greek Maria Sakkari
“It’s a post-Big Three, insists Leger. It brings forward a new group of players. It’s a gateway to some really interesting personalities who aren’t from Big Three. Before, we talked a bit about the next generation, without knowing who this new generation was. There, we will get to know her better, and it’s really nice. »
It was a heartbreaking process for the production team when it came time to choose which players to feature. “There are hundreds and we have reduced the candidates to a short list. We met them to find out if they wanted to be part of the project. Some said yes, some no and others maybe,” says Gay-Rees.
Each athlete posed a risk, he adds, because these players are followed at home, in training, before, during and after their matches. A lot of resources have been deployed for each character. “Our players had to have a good year, or an interesting year, and luckily most of our players had a great year. We were really lucky. »
A featured Quebecer
The fifth episode of the series is dedicated to Félix Auger-Aliassime, during his time at Roland-Garros. “Felix is an exciting player to follow, with the way he plays, his family surrounding him and with the addition of Toni Nadal. Felix is awesome,” says Bourne.
PHOTO CHARLES PLATIAU, ARCHIVES REUTERS Félix Auger-Aliassime at the Paris International in September 2020
According to the general manager of Tennis Montreal, the repercussions of this appearance will be enormous for Quebec and Canadian tennis.
Felix is our big star right now. It is therefore certain that it will draw attention to tennis and that it will encourage young and old to start playing.
Hugues Léger, General Manager of Tennis Montreal
The visibility offered will be unparalleled, he continues: “It is no coincidence that he is in the lot with Kyrgios, Ruud, Fritz and Berrettini. It is a flower to have been selected in this group, and we see that it is because he has an interesting personality, but also because they see in him a very great champion. »
Netflix was also interested in the case of the seventh racket in the world because of its enormous potential. “He is a fantastic player. I remember at Roland-Garros, we were touring with him, he was training at the gym, and I’ve never seen someone so connected and concerned about their body. It was fascinating. He’s a good boy, he’s quite charming, he’s easy to love. He could become the next face of his sport and he deserves everything that happens to him,” Gay-Rees said.
In the exhilaration of victory and the pain of defeat, the best players on the planet have been scrutinized. The result promises to be enlightening: “I think people think it’s a nice sport, whereas it’s a difficult and complex sport. I dare to believe that it will allow people to have a greater appreciation of the dedication of these players, ”concludes the executive producer.
