The coach of Serena Williams has suggested that the prospect of breaking the all-time grand slam singles record is the key thing motivating her to continue her career.
Patrick Mouratoglou, who has worked with the former world No.1 since 2012, reflected on Williams’ 2019 season in a piece written for Tennis Head magazine. Last year the American came within a single win of a record-equalling 24th grand slam title twice. Settling for runner-up at both Wimbledon and the US Open. She is yet to win a major title since becoming a mother.
“Serena Williams has played in seven Grand Slam tournaments and reached the finals of four of them, losing on each occasion. In none of them did we see the Serena who had won 23 Grand Slam singles titles before she took a 14-month break to have her first child.” Mouratoglou admits.
All four of her most recent grand slam finals saw the 38-year-old falter as she lost comprehensively in straight sets. Numerous theories have circulated as to why she has been unable to claim another grand slam title. Earlier this year, Williams was one of the heavy favourites to win the Australian Open after triumphing at the ASB Classic in Auckland. Winning her first trophy of any kind since 2017. However, she lost in the third round at Melbourne to Qiang Wang.
Some have suggested that a lack of match play has hampered Williams over recent months. During 2019 she only played in three WTA tournaments outside of the Grand Slams, as well as one Fed Cup tie. Although her coach disagrees that this is an issue.
“People ask me whether Serena is playing enough tournaments away from the Grand Slam events. Of course, playing and winning matches can only give you confidence, but I don’t feel that a lack of confidence has been the problem for her.” He explained.
“You don’t win quarter-finals and semi-finals in the way that she has without feeling confident. Similarly, there has been no problem with her level of tennis going into these finals.”
Elaborating further, Mouratoglou believes fitness has been the main problem for Williams. Saying that he doesn’t think she has reached ‘100 percent yet.’ Something he links to her 14-month maternity leave from the sport between 2017-2018.
“She’s getting closer and closer to 100 per cent fitness, but I don’t think she’s there yet.” He stated.
“It’s important to feel that your fitness is at a high enough level to enable you to get a lot of balls back if you run into trouble in the rallies.”
The next major for Williams will be the French Open, which will get underway at the end of May. Given her recent disappointments, her team have been left contemplating if a new approach is needed. Something that isn’t as simple as it seems.
“What we have to consider is that Serena is facing a new challenge at the moment, the last one of her career, and that we probably need to adapt and find a solution to it.” Williams’ coach argues.
“People ask me if Serena can equal Court’s record. My response is that she doesn’t play to equal records. She plays to beat them. She never plays for a silver medal. She goes for gold – every time.”
Williams has won 73 WTA titles so far in her career. She is set to return to action at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, which will get underway on Monday.
