WTA: Mouratoglou reckons with title-hungry Williams

Patrick Mouratoglou understands Serena Williams’ rejection of the Australian Open. But the coach of the former number one expects Williams, who will soon be hungry for the title again.

Mouratoglou does not believe that the birth of her daughter Alexis Olympia will deter the 36-year-old from her usual high sporting ambitions:”Of course, your life changes when you become a mother. But the athlete, the competitor, remains the same,”said the French Williams coach in an interview with ESPN. com, smiling:”I don’t see any change in her. She thinks and acts like she always does. And when it comes to tennis or business, she’s exactly the same person as before the break.”

The Melbourne defending champion took part in the first Grand Slam tournament of the year on Friday (starting from 15th place). January) canceled. Serena Williams feels four months after the birth of her first child and barely a year after her last official match she is not yet ready for the showdown on big stage. According to her own assessment, she could have played Down under, but that’s not enough for a major 23-time winner.

“It was a difficult decision, but she was wise of Serena. When she comes back, it’s because she wants to win,”said Mouratoglou, who expects a comeback of the younger Williams sister at the Sunshine Double in Indian Wells and Miami in March:”It’s better to take a little more time. Because the competition is always different.”

A few days ago, this had become evident in a show fight between the US superstar and French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in Abu Dhabi, who lost Williams in three sets to the young Latvian in a show fight, after which I realized that I was not there where I wanted to be – although I am super close,”Williams had said.

Mouratoglou also reported health complications following the birth of the seven-time Wimbledon winner, which led to a two-month delay in getting into training:”The baby is perfect, but things didn’t go as smoothly as Serena had hoped,”the 47-year-old coach continued.