Patrick Mouratoglou notably missed this year’s US Open. Since his rise to prominence while coaching Marcos Baghdatis, who reached the Australian Open final in 2006, Mouratoglou has established himself as a respected tennis coach, with many professionals and upcoming players visiting his academy on the French Riviera. His collaboration with Serena Williams, during which she secured 10 of her 23 Grand Slam singles titles, solidified his reputation as a coaching legend.
Amid his busy schedule with clients, Mouratoglou connected with me toward the end of the US Open to discuss Naomi Osaka’s comeback, Williams’s weight loss journey, and the challenges in disrupting Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s dominance in men’s tennis.
What made your partnership with Serena so effective? How did you both elevate her already extraordinary game to new heights?
It was rooted in deep mutual trust. We motivated each other extensively. I understood how to encourage her, push her buttons, and spark her competitive edge. Our collaboration began during a tough phase; she hadn’t won a Grand Slam in two years and faced an unexpected first-round exit at the French Open. Such experiences can shift even the most determined athlete’s mindset, impacting performance quality.
Roland Garros presented significant challenges, as she had only won it once prior, in 2002. By 2013, after returning her to the world’s No. 1 position, she expressed a strong desire to reclaim the title, prompting us to devise unconventional strategies. For example, I suggested she serve only second serves in Madrid, aiming to build her confidence on clay by forcing her to work through every point. This led to a remarkable 28-0 record on clay that year.
Recently, Serena has taken to promoting a weight-loss drug and faced backlash for potentially undermining her athletic achievements. She cited your comments on her weight as influential in her choice to pursue a medical method for weight loss. How do you view this?
I distinctly recall the discussions post-pregnancy. I emphasized that my concern was not about aesthetics but performance; excess weight can critically hinder tennis players due to the physical demands of the sport. The additional stress on joints and the agility required is impacted by even a small amount of weight. I aimed to highlight that for her to reclaim her top status, optimizing her physical condition was essential.
Her age also played a role, as recovery from childbirth can differ, increasing injury risks. We had our disagreements as she felt judged, but I reassured her that my priority was her game, not her appearance. If fitness had been addressed earlier, the results could have been even more positive.
