Patrick Mouratoglou reveals what he once said to a member of Serena Williams’ coaching team who called her ‘stupid’

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Serena Williams and Patrick Mouratoglou enjoyed real success during their time together, winning several Grand Slam titles.

French coach Mouratoglou joined Williams’ coaching team in 2012, as the American looked to return to winning ways after struggling at the Major tournaments in 2011.

The pair immediately found success as Williams won Olympic Gold, Wimbledon, and the US Open during the remainder of the 2012 season.

Williams won a further eight Grand Slam titles with Mouratoglou by her side, retiring from tennis in 2022 as the most successful women’s player in the Open Era.

The 54-year-old is always full of praise for the WTA star, and has now explained how he came to Williams’ defence during the beginning of their relationship.

Patrick Mouratoglou responded when a member of Serena Williams’ coaching team called her ‘stupid’

Speaking to Daniela Hantuchova ahead of the 2025 Madrid Open, Mouratoglou recalled a story from when he first joined Williams’ team.

“When I started there was somebody who was with her for many years, and on a big point, on a second serve she goes for an ace, misses, double faults,” he said.

“The guy next to me gets angry, ‘She’s so stupid, she always does stupid things’.

“I turned to him and I said, ‘That’s why she’s Serena [Williams]’ because yes, sometimes she misses, but this mindset made her win so many matches.

“Now you see her make a double fault, you’re p—–, but if she wouldn’t take the responsibility on the big points, she wouldn’t be Serena.”

Mouratoglou spoke highly of the 43-year-old’s mindset, suggesting she may not have won a single Grand Slam title without it.

“If you ask me to define Serena, it’s her mindset that makes the difference,” he said.

“Yeah she has a great game, of course, yes she’s strong physically ok, but she’s Serena because of her mindset. End of the story.

“You give the same player a different mindset, maybe she’ll never win a Grand Slam, if the mindset is not good, no. I don’t think so.”

Naomi Osaka loses under Patrick Mouratoglou in the first round of the 2025 Madrid Open

Mouratoglou now works alongside Japan’s Naomi Osaka, who won four Grand Slam titles between 2018 and 2021.

The 27-year-old has struggled to rediscover her Major-winning form and recently suffered another shock defeat.

Osaka lost to Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti in the first round of the Madrid Open, 4-6, 6-2, 4-6.

She will next appear in Saint Malo, France, as Osaka returns to the WTA 125 level.

The world number 55 began her year in promising fashion in Auckland, when Osaka reached the final of the ASB Classic, retiring due to injury while leading by a set-to-love against Clara Tauson.

However, Osaka failed to return to the quarterfinal stage in any of her next four WTA tournaments.

• 2025 Australian Open – Naomi Osaka lost in 3R
• 2025 Indian Wells – Naomi Osaka lost in 1R
• 2025 Miami Open – Naomi Osaka lost in 4R
• 2025 Madrid Open – Naomi Osaka lost in 1R

She now sits 51st in the ‘Live WTA Race’ behind several promising youngsters.

Only time will tell if Mouratoglou can help fire Osaka back up the rankings when she returns to action in Saint Malo.

Osaka will head to France as the number two seed when the tournament begins on Monday, April 28.