Rubin began "BTR" in January, taking inspiration from the popular social media project "Humans of New York"GETTY IMAGES
Tennis player Noah Rubin's Instagram series, "Behind the Racquet," and has "proved remarkably revealing, allowing his peers to share their vulnerabilities and struggles in raw, often unflinching details," according to Ben Rothenberg of the N.Y. TIMES. Rubin began "BTR" in January, "taking inspiration from 'Humans of New York,' the popular social media project that has sought to tell the stories of people otherwise lost in the urban shuffle." Rubin said that he "hoped he could add similar depth to the perceptions of the players pursuing professional tennis careers alongside him." Many of the players whom Rubin has featured on "BTR" have had "similar career arcs, with little news media attention or recognition despite their world-class talents." In more than 40 posts so far, players have "detailed a wide range of experiences, including struggles with motivation or stuttering, financial hardships and misdiagnosed injuries." Rubin said, "I want people to know what’s going on. And I’m not going to sugarcoat it.” Many players have been "eager to join the project," with the "most prominent player who has participated in the series" being Madison Keys. The No. 17-ranked player "discussed her two-year battle with an eating disorder as a teenager" (N.Y. TIMES, 6/25).
