The gimmick of the “Behind the Racquet” series on Instagram is simple: tennis players’ faces are partially obscured by the strings of the tool with which they make their living.

But the series, created by the American player Noah Rubin, has proved remarkably revealing, allowing his peers to share their vulnerabilities and struggles in raw, often unflinching details.

Rubin, 23, began “Behind the Racquet” 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, who is from Long Island, said he hoped he could add similar depth to the perceptions of the players pursuing professional tennis careers alongside him.

“I was looking around and thinking, ‘I don’t think people really know their stories,’” he said. “I think there’s a lack of connection between fans and the players.”