Serena Williams’ coach Patrick Mouratoglou discusses whether Serena Williams can win a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam while Serena Williams has vowed to take on anyone and everyone she comes up against.
She’s had a “big X” on her back since winning the US Open in 1999, now Serena Williams has vowed to take on anyone and everyone she comes up against, while her coach Patrick Mouratoglou says she is ready to “pass that last step” and win a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam.
Serena Williams is ready for all comers, saying: “I’ve had a big X on my back since ’99, since I won the US Open.” The American, who turns 40 later this year, has not won a Grand Slam title since the Australian Open in 2017 but remains the biggest scalp in women’s tennis.
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Williams heads into this year’s tournament having spent a prolonged period of time preparing for this year’s tournament working alongside her long-time coach Patrick Mouratoglou and the watchful eye of her sister Venus.
She said: “It’s definitely made me better. When players play me that hard every single tournament, every single match, every single Grand Slam, it just doesn’t matter where, you just get better.
“It’s been difficult mentally when someone might beat you and they lose directly in the next round almost every time. At the end of the day, that’s why I’m Serena.”
Williams coach Patrick Mouratoglou talks about whether he can win a record 24 Grand Slam
Many pundits, including Frenchman Mouratoglou, view the All England Club as the most likely venue Williams can finally equal Margaret Court’s record, with her main rivals Simona Halep and Naomi Osaka both missing.
Williams reached the final in 2018 and 2019, losing in straight sets to Angelique Kerber and Halep, respectively, and has not played a match on grass for two years.
Serena said: “I think that the women’s draw is so deep, regardless who you play.
“You really have to show up now. There’s no longer matches that are going to be a sure walk-through. You just have to really have your head in, have your game on.”
“I always believe in Serena because I know what she’s capable of,” Mouratoglou told Sky Sports. “Since she has become a mum she hasn’t been as successful as in the past because at the last step she has not been able to make it, but she still plays some great tennis.
“Now it’s more about finding her inner strength to be Serena when she needs to be Serena and then pass that last step.
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“There are two challenges. Be ready for the Grand Slams and be able to find the real Serena when she needs to and if she finds those two she will win a Grand Slam. She can, of course she can, 100 per cent.”
