“We love you coach, Let’s get going!” Serena Williams and others react to Coach Patrick Mouratoglou’s inspiring story
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Patrick Mouratoglou and Serena Williams
Coaching plays a very important part in tennis like any other sport and Patrick Mouratoglou is probably the face of coaching in tennis. The Frenchman has been coaching players since over two decades and his academy- Patrick Mouratoglou Academy has produced and nurtured some of the best talents of the sport.
Recently, Mouratoglou took to social media to share his inspiring journey. He started by saying what that he was destined for failure as a kid. He used to be sick all the time and had regular panic attacks until he found tennis. The sport redefined him and he finally felt worth. He went on to say that tennis saved his life.
“As a kid, I was destined for failure. I was sick all the time, had regular panic attacks and had a complete lack of self-esteem that led me to a complete inability to connect with people. Then I discovered tennis. For the first time, I found a place – the tennis court – I felt comfortable, I felt powerful, I felt good at something, I felt like I was worth something. Tennis saved my life,” Mouratoglou shared.
But the coach also revealed why he couldn’t have a career as a professional tennis player despite becoming a very good junior player in France. He said that his parents were from intellectual background and hence he had to hang his racket to focus on studies.
“Thanks to tennis, Being so passionate about it, I turned my life around and became a very good junior player in France. My dream became to be a professional tennis players. Coming from a more “intellectual” background, my parents didn’t really see tennis as a viable career options and didn’t support my project. I had to hang my racket and study. I was devastated,” the French coach further said.
He finally decided 6 years later that despite not achieving his dreams, he’ll guide others and became a tennis coach in 1996. “But not for long. 6 years after, I decided that if I couldn’t achieve my own dream, I would help other young passionate tennis players achieve theirs and reach their full potential. It became my life mission. That’s how I founded the Mouratoglou Academy in 1996 and then became a tennis coach!” he added.
Ever since then, Mouratoglou hasn’t looked back. He has guided many players and is currently the coach of possibly the greatest player of all time- Serena Williams.
“Fast forward 25 years, I have guided many pro players to reach their goals, scouted several of the world’s top tennis prospects, opened multiple tennis center, and coached the Greatest player of all times, Serena Williams, for the last 10 years. It doesn’t matter where you are or where you start. If you have a dream, a vision, and that you’re doing what you’re doing for the right reasons, you can turn your life around,” he concluded on a high note.
Fellow players laud Mouratoglou’s inspiring story
Many current and former players reacted to Mouratoglou’s inspiring story. 23-time grand slam champion Serena Williams was amongst the first one to comment on his post. “I love this!!!! Let’s get back out there,” Serena wrote.
The American superstar is currently recovering from an injury she developed at Wimbledon and will miss the Australian summer swing. She hasn’t decided when she’ll return but a return prior to the clay court season in Middle-East looks likely.
Alex Corretja expressed his love towards the Frenchman, “Very nice, coach! We love you.” Danish teenager Holger Rune too reacted to the post, “Respect!”
Also read: ‘Here I am!’ Rafael Nadal announces exciting news and fans can’t keep calm!
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Lakshya Chopra
(2595 Articles Published)