“Her target has always been to win Grand Slams, and that’s why she came back, because she believes – and of course I believe too,” Patrick Mouratoglou boldly claimed about Serena Williams when she made a comeback in 2019, and he wasn’t wrong. Serena, hailed as arguably the greatest in the Open Era, amassed 23 GS titles, just one shy of Margaret Court’s 24, though many of Court’s titles came before the sport turned professional. But even legends have moments of doubt, don’t they? Starting her journey in 1995 and retiring in 2022, Serena wasn’t immune to confidence dips. Now, her longtime coach has opened up about one such moment, revealing the raw, human side of a tennis icon who once doubted herself despite all she had achieved.

It was the turning point in Serena Williams’ career when she dialed Patrick Mouratoglou, then a relatively unknown coach, to request the use of his academy near Paris. It was a moment born of doubt! Fresh off a first-round defeat at Roland Garros and without a GS win in nearly two years, Serena was searching for a way to reignite her spark. 

That call proved transformative. By 2015, she had claimed her 20th major title in Paris with a hard-fought win over Lucie Safarova, making it seven GS in just 12 appearances since teaming up with Mouratoglou in 2012. She would go on to win three more, including her final Slam at the 2017 AO, bringing her total to 23. But behind the dominance was always a deeply human side! In a recent reflection, Mouratoglou opened up about the moments Serena felt uncertain, vulnerable, and even under-confident. 

Recently, a candid moment featuring Mouratoglou was shared on the IG community page “Soul Boom,” in which he described what he considered to be one of Serena’s most self-doubting moments at the commencement of their coaching partnership. He said, “For tennis players, the tennis court is the best place for them to have a little victory because that’s what they do. I don’t think Serena was loosing confidence in her life, but in tennis, yes, because for someone like her not winning a Grand Slam for two years, its not something that was normal. And I realise that she was also processing differently.”

Patrick continued, “When she qualifies for the semis in Wimbledon, she runs to me with a big smile and she says guess what? Whatever happens, I am top 3 in the world. And I’m shocked. Who cares? She’s Serena Williams. Top three? And I look at her and I say, and? She doesn’t answer, and she suddenly realises how can I think like that? I’m Serena. I’m happy to be top three?”

In 2010, Serena soared to Grand Slam glory, clinching both the AO and Wimbledon titles, her 12th and 13th majors. She beat Justine Henin in Melbourne and dismantled Vera Zvonareva on Center Court. But the highs quickly turned into a harrowing low. 

In early 2011, she faced a series of life-threatening health issues, keeping her off the court for nearly 10 months. Struggling with both fitness and form, she parted ways with coach Mike Shilstone, who had guided her since 2008. The turning point came in 2012 when she teamed up with Patrick Mouratoglou. The results were immediate—Serena triumphed at Wimbledon once again, beating Agnieszka Radwańska for her 14th Grand Slam and marking her remarkable comeback.

“I just remember, I was on the couch and I didn’t leave the whole day for two days. I was just over it. I was praying, like, ‘I can’t take any more. I’ve endured enough. Let me be able to get through this,” she said back then.

Despite demonstrating overconfidence, she concurrently grappled with weight issues that negatively affected her experiences. 

“Not built that way,” Serena Williams’ brutal response regarding her weight-related backlash

Remember when Serena Williams reached the AO final in 2005, claiming the 26th title of her storied career? What followed was an unexpected slump, two years without a single final appearance, as critics questioned her form and physique. But true to her resilient spirit, Serena returned to Melbourne in 2007, unseeded and unstoppable. 

She dominated Russian icon Maria Sharapova 6-1, 6-2 in the final to clinch her 8th GS title. Following her victory, she directly addressed the persistent body shaming, frankly stating to reporters that her physique did not adhere to restrictive societal ideals regardless of her diet; she emphasized that her athletic achievements, rather than her physical appearance, would always hold greater significance.

Talking to the press, Serena said, “I think no matter if I were not to eat for two years, I still wouldn’t be a Size 2, because no matter how slim I am, I always have this and that. We are living in a Kate Olsen world.. I’m just not built that way,”

Although she has officially retired, Serena Williams remains a shining icon in WTA tennis history. Still remarkably fit and cherishing time with her family, one can’t help but wonder: could she grace Center Court for one final, unforgettable dance?