“Everybody wanted to go dancing… Serena Williams never celebrated” – Ex-coach reveals truth behind American’s mindset that made a ‘champion’

Serena Williams’ ex-coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, cited an example of the American’s 2013 French Open title win and explained how her mentality reflected her hunger to win. She won a total of 23 Grand Slam singles titles in her glorious career, among which three came from the Paris Slam in 2002, 2013, and 2015.

Mouratoglou coached Williams from 2012 to 2022 and she won 10 Major singles titles during their partnership. In an Instagram video, the tennis coach highlighted an important example from his tenure with Williams, which made him realize her champion mentality. Talking about her 2013 French Open win, he said:

“In the evening, everybody wanted to go dancing, and when we arrived in front of the night club, she looked at me and she said, ‘Let’s go back home’, she never celebrated. She was already thinking about Wimbledon.”

Trending

Mouratoglou elaborated on the conversation he had with the former World No. 1 after her win, which reflected her immense mental strength. He added:

"There is a trophy ceremony, and when she gets out of the court, she comes to me and she says, 'OK, let's do the cool down'. So we go in the fitness room, and after five minutes, she looks at me and she says, 'Now we have to win Wimbledon'. This is the mindset of the champion. As soon as they achieve something, they immediately think about a new goal, another one."

Serena Williams also won 23 career titles in doubles, including 16 Majors. She retired from tennis in 2022.

Patrick Mouratoglou on telling a white lie to Serena Williams to help her

Patrick Mouratoglou admitted to telling a white lie to Serena Williams, which played a key role in shaping her and her win at Wimbledon. During his appearance on the Tennis Insider Club, the Frenchman elaborated on how that one lie helped her get over her doubt in approaching the net and gain control of her volleys.

“She was missing volleys & afraid to move forward. I told her, ‘You win 80% of points at the net’. It wasn’t true, but she believed it. From then on, she did win 80% at the net… and won Wimbledon,” he said.

Serena Williams began her partnership with Mouratoglou by winning the 2012 Wimbledon title. She won a total of seven titles at the Championships, boasting a 98-14 win-loss ratio at the tournament.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback

About the author

Aatreyi Sarkar

Aatreyi Sarkar is a tennis journalist at Sportskeeda. Currently pursuing a degree in Comparative Literature from Jadavpur University and a U.S. State Department scholar at The University of Kansas, she blends her academic background with her passion for storytelling.

Aatreyi sources accurate information from social media platforms to stay updated on the latest developments and fan discussions. She strives to produce engaging, insightful, and experimental content that connects with readers, aspiring to make tennis more accessible and captivating for fans around the globe

She finds immense inspiration in Novak Djokovic, whose incredible comebacks and relentless determination motivate her to approach her work with the same passion. Roland Garros is her favorite tournament, cherished for its unique clay-court challenges and historical importance.

Though new to professional writing, Aatreyi has been an avid debater and quizzer since middle school, showcasing her analytical skills and creativity. Outside tennis, she is a passionate cricket fan, baker, and reader who enjoys exploring literature beyond academic constraints.

Know More