Patrick Mouratoglou is one of the most well known coaches in the world of tennis but one of his former pupils have accused the Frenchman of disregarding her mental health during an extensive interview.
Former top 20 player Aravane Rezai started collaborating with Mouratoglou back in 2009 after winning the Tournament of Champions in Indonesia. A rising star of the sport, she made her grand slam debut at the 2005 French Open aged 18 before reaching the fourth round of the US Open the following year in what was her best ever result in a major. On the rise, she decided to enlist the help of Serena Williams’ current coach after being guided on the tour by her father.
“In Bali I felt that everything was in its place. I told myself there was no pressure, that I could play my best tennis against great players. The better I felt on the court, the happier I was off the court. That tournament, in addition, I invited my friend Patrick Mouratoglou and we all enjoyed together. I won the tournament and decided to work together.” Rezai told Punto de Break.
The collaboration was the start of what was a roller coaster experience, according to Rezai. Who accuses her former mentor of not caring about her own mental health. Initially the two got off to a solid start with a sense of professionalism being implemented into her career. However, it took a toll on her family life.
“What Patrick brought to my team was a real work plan. I was with my father on the track eight hours a day, but Patrick gave me that touch of professionalism: one hour of fitness, one hour of massage … In addition, he took me to quality training courts, gave me hitting partners, facilities.” She said.
“My father had a very strong character. Sometimes he was possessive, he wanted to protect me no matter what it took. I realized that Patrick sometimes wanted to calm that situation.’
“The problem is that he was that type of person who does not accept his responsibilities. He pressured me to face my parents. He put me in front of them, face to face, to get what he wanted: full control. He wanted results and he didn’t care how he got them, he didn’t care about my education or my past.”
On the court it was a different story as Rezai achieved one of the biggest titles of her entire career under Mouratoglou’s guidance. At the 2010 Madrid Open she downed Jelena Jankovic and Venus Williams en route to claiming the title. It was at the same tournament where she stunned former world No.1 Justine Henin in the first round.
Despite her success in the Spanish capital, Rezai said she was under immense pressure to deliver at the tournament. Comparing her training routine during that time to being in prison.
“I would not say that he is a great coach, but a great businessman: he knows how to play, how to analyze things from a tactical point of view.” She explained about her time with Mouratoglou.
“But if I go into details … In Madrid, I was put under enormous pressure to win that tournament. I couldn’t unwind, I couldn’t take the phone, the credit card, anything. It was like being in prison. I would get up at six in the morning to run an hour or two, do the physical training before my training, it was too much.’
“My father put a lot of pressure on me and he thought that if I put extra pressure on me it would make me better. And the truth is that it worked, but there comes a time when you can’t take it anymore.”
“That is why our relationship lasted just over a year. The people around me told him that I couldn’t take it anymore, but he replied that he didn’t care. I didn’t care about my mental health.”
Mouratoglou has worked with many top names throughout his career. Besides his long-time collaboration with Serena Williams, he has also previously mentored the likes of Grigor Dimitrov, Jeremy Chardy, Marcos Baghdatis and Stefanos Tsitsipas. He is the founder and Head Coach of his own academy located near Paris.
Two months after winning Madrid, Rezai would go on to win the Swedish Open in what was the last WTA title of her career to date.
Rezai’s career in numbers
WTA titles won: 4
Ranking high: 15
Prize money won: $2,811,046
WTA win-loss record: 287/ 212
