Former World No. 1 Serena Williams is targeting more Grand Slam success in 2018, claims her coach Patrick Mouratoglou.
Mouratoglou, who has been the American superstar’s mentor since 2012, was speaking to wtatennis.com, where he disclosed that the 36-year-old has three main goals for 2018 and that are the three remaining Majors of the season.
The French coach said: “Serena’s life has changed. She has a family, she is a mother, she has different priorities now. But Serena stays Serena. When she decides to do anything, she does it to be the best in it.”
“Having a champion’s mindset is not anything situational, it is an attitude, it is a trait of character. This always remains. She prepares herself to perform at the highest level.”
“She took the decision to come back to tennis. She definitely did not have to. Now she wants to break records again, and especially one. That is her drive, to keep winning Grand Slams and hopefully establish her own Grand Slam record. But she knows she will have to go step by step, it is a long way.”
“Serena’s target will be to win Grand Slams. She knows that coming back might take some time, but her level of expectation is high as always. There are three Grand Slams left this season. They will be her three main goals for 2018.”
On being asked if Serena can learn anything from Kim Clijsters, who won three of her four Grand Slam titles after becoming a mother, Mouratoglou replied: “Kim is a fantastic champion and a very inspiring person. I am sure that Serena has the highest respect for her. Kim showed that a champion stays a champion and that when you are able, after being a mother, to come back as fit as you were before, you can perform at the same level.”
Mouratoglou also revealed that the 23-time Major winner still surprises him by doing things that are simply impossible to accomplish.
“No. I don’t think that my admiration for her can be higher than what it is. I am quite difficult to impress and to surprise, and I have always said that she constantly surprises me by doing things that are theoretically impossible to achieve.”
“Believe it or not, but after five years working together, she still surprises and impresses me often.”
