First Racket

What it’s about

Katya, a 17-year-old tennis player, has to give up the sport because her family lacks money, connections, and the will to support her dream. To survive, she pretends to be a novice and beats rich amateurs on private Moscow courts for cash. Former professional athlete Igor Strelnikov, now a weary coach, witnesses one of these matches. He recognizes her as an uncut diamond and his opportunity to return to big-time sports.

What hooks you

Danila Kozlovsky plays Igor Strelnikov, and Polina Gukhman plays Katya. The series is directed by Evgeny Korchagin, with Fyodor Bondarchuk among the producers. The catalogue's short description calls it a virtuoso drama.

Who it’s for

It will appeal to those who like sports stories built on grit and survival, and to viewers drawn to tense partnerships between a mentor and a protégé.