The first season of Break Point wrapped by digging deeper with Taylor Fritz and getting to know WTA player Aryna Sabalenka.
The settings were the Nitto ATP Finals and the WTA Finals, the respective tours’ year-end championships.
“This is what everyone has their sights set on,” Fritz said.
The American for the first time in the series spoke about his son, Jordan, from a previous relationship.
“I just hope as he gets older he understands what I’m doing and understands what I’m trying to do,” Fritz said.
The American added: “When I told him that I’m not the best tennis player in the world he was a little surprised and a little disappointed that I’m not the best. He’s not easily impressed.”
It was a breakthrough season for Fritz, whom the show followed during his first ATP Masters 1000 title run in Indian Wells and then at his lowest point of the season at the US Open. But Turin was his chance to end 2022 on a high. He was set to face Rafael Nadal, whom he had beaten at Indian Wells and lost to at Wimbledon.
“I feel like he [Rafa] really wants to just come out tomorrow and just beat the s*** out of me because Indian Wells was his first loss of the year,” Fritz said in his hotel room, alongside girlfriend Morgan Riddle. “It’s going to be an interesting one. It’s a big match. And obviously I just can’t stop hearing it from like, ‘Oh Rafa had his rib injury, blah, blah, blah, he would have killed you if he was fine.’ I’m just like, ‘Shut the f*** up.’ I don’t know, I’m sick of everyone trying to discredit the win. I just want to win and I want it to be fully just legit.”
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Fritz would defeat Nadal before falling to Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals to end the best season of his career.
The other player heavily featured in the final episode of Season 1 was Sabalenka. The show painted a picture of a player who has had both highs and lows.
“She’s intimidating,” Martina Navratilova said, complimenting Sabalenka and the powerful game she brings to the court.
On the other hand, Sabalenka has also gone through struggles both on and off the court, including due to Belarus' support of Russia's war in Ukraine. She went through a period in which she could not dial in her second serve, which became a hot topic throughout the tennis world.
Expert Paul Annacone said: “No matter what your level is, you’re only good as your mind lets you.”
Sabalenka, who is shown during a visit to her apparel sponsor as a fun, energetic personality, also went through tough times as she struggled off the court.
“I honestly thought I was going to stop playing tennis because it was so bad,” Sabalenka said in one clip.
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The powerful righty fell just short of capturing the WTA Finals title in the championship match against Caroline Garcia. But in the closing montage she explained how much mentally stronger she felt than before. Sabalenka then proved prophetic.
“Next season it’s my year guys,” she said, flashing a wide smile and two thumbs up.
from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/I5AVHWj
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