Patrick Mouratoglou had a lengthy period as Serena Williams' coach, and he has opened up about the pair ending their long-term partnership.
Mouratoglou began working with Williams in 2012. The 23-time Grand Slam champion had not won a major title for two years before hiring the Frenchman as her coach. Her fortunes quickly changed under his guidance.
Williams claimed ten Grand Slam titles and a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics in London during her time with Mouratoglou. She also triumphed at the WTA Tour Championships on three occasions.
The only frustration in their ten years together was that Williams did not equal Margaret Court's Grand Slam record. She had opportunities to do so in 2018 and 2019, but the American lost four Grand Slam finals during those years.
That history means not coaching Williams anymore was a big decision for Mouratoglou. In comments reported on by Gazeta Sporturilor, the 52-year-old said he told Williams he would consider himself free if she did not appear at training.
"I asked her if she wanted to go to Roland-Garros. She told me she didn't know. It was six weeks before the tour. I told her I was waiting for her on Monday for training and if she didn't come I would consider myself free."
Mouratoglou then became very honest. The Frenchman admitted that he had lost enthusiasm for coaching and that he was considering quitting it as a profession.
"After Serena decided to take a break, I confessed to my loved ones that I feel like I'm done with coaching. I knew that one of my strengths was that I had a lot of enthusiasm for my work. Without this enthusiasm I can't be a good coach. I felt like I had lost it."
Of course, that is not what happened in the end. Mouratoglou is now working with Simona Halep and seems to have reignited his passion for coaching in the process.