Serena Williams’ coach announces partnership with Slam-winning WTA rival
Patrick Mouratoglou has revealed that he will be the new full-time coach of two-time Major champion and former world number one Simona Halep.
The news comes after Serena was quoted as saying that tennis is no longer the reason she “gets up in the morning.”
Mouratoglou shared on social media: “Today I am starting a new chapter in my coaching career.
“I am now the full-time coach of Simona Halep.”
Mouratoglou then explains that he watched Halep train at his academy ahead of Indian Wells, and that the Romanian asked if he would be willing to coach her.
After consulting Serena, Mouratoglou reversed his decision to decline Halep and took up work with the 30-year-old world number 20.
I am now the full-time coach of @Simona_Halep. pic.twitter.com/MRlkmeJyhw
— Patrick Mouratoglou (@pmouratoglou) April 7, 2022
Halep and Serena have faced each other 12 times over their careers, with the American leading the head-to-head healthily 10-2.
However, one of those two victories came in the final of Wimbledon in 2019, where Halep dismantled Serena 6-2, 6-2 in under an hour.
Halep was nearly flawless, committing just three unforced errors to prevent Serena from equalling Margaret Court’s record Slam tally of 24.
Serena, having not played since Wimbledon in July last year, has tumbled to 246th in the WTA rankings as uncertainty continues as to when, or even if, she will return to the tour, and whether Mouratoglou will be by her side when she does.
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