Eliot Spizzirri’s “Off Season” laid the groundwork for Australian Open breakthrough

Eliot Spizzirri started 2026 on a tear—but the foundation for his surge was laid during the offseason.

The 24-year-old American is 4–2 on the year and sitting at a new career-high ranking of world No. 71 after a successful trip Down Under, highlighted by a statement run to the third round of the Australian Open.

Read More: Eliot Spizzirri inspired to take on tennis’ top tier after Jannik Sinner thriller at Australian Open

Before the season began, Spizzirri allowed documentary cameras to follow him and his team in Boca Raton as they prepared for the new year, with coaches Patrick Hirscht and Christopher Williams by his side during tennis’ scarce time off.

Spizzirri is one of the subjects of Off Season, Ground Pass Podcast’s new cinematic YouTube docu-series, which follows pro tennis players through the part of the year fans rarely see—the reset after the season.

Episode 1, titled “Rest,” finds Spizzirri training in Boca Raton, home to Evert Academy and an offseason base for many American and international players.

“I like the lifestyle a lot. My dad’s here. I think at the end of this year I’ll have to buy my own place,” he says, laughing. “Living with my parents at 25? I don’t think that’s in the cards.”

The series is narrated by former ATP player turned analyst Chris Eubanks, directed by Anastasia Folorunso, and shot by cinematographer Emily Kordovich.

“He’s just a workhorse,” Eubanks said of Spizzirri. “He’s a guy who’s not an easy out. When you step foot on court with him, it doesn’t matter what lead you have—he’s never going to give up.”

Read More: Eliot Spizzirri achieved something “amazing” last year. How much further can he go?

Spizzirri began the season ranked world No. 89. He qualified in Auckland and reached the quarterfinals of the ATP 250 event, recording wins over Cristian Garin, Juan Manuel Cerúndolo, Adrian Mannarino, and Nuno Borges—all higher-ranked opponents.

He then made a splash in his Australian Open main-draw debut, upsetting No. 32 seed João Fonseca and defeating Yibing Wu to reach the third round of a major for the first time.

He truly made the tennis world take notice when he took a set off Jannik Sinner in Melbourne. The world No. 2 and two-time defending champion did not drop a set to anyone else in the tournament apart from Novak Djokovic.

Spizzirri is next scheduled to compete in the qualifying rounds at the Delray Beach Open, hoping to advance into the ATP 250 main draw when the tournament begins on February 16 and keep his momentum going.

Off Season premiered on YouTube on January 18, with new episodes dropping every other Sunday. The next installment arrives February 15.

The series also features Hailey Baptiste, Ethan Quinn, Camila Osorio, and Colton Smith alongside Spizzirri.