MusaPatrick Mouratoglou, the longtime coach of Serena Williams during some of the most dominant years of her career, recently shared an insightful and rarely-heard story about her 2013 Roland Garros triumph — a title that marked a turning point in her legendary run.
Serena’s victory at the French Open that year was monumental. It was her second Roland Garros crown, coming a full 11 years after her first in 2002, and it cemented her ability to dominate on every surface. But according to Mouratoglou, the journey to lifting the trophy in Paris was filled with moments that showcased not just Serena’s talent, but her mental strength.
Mouratoglou recalled that in the lead-up to the tournament, Serena wasn’t entirely confident about her clay-court game despite her remarkable results. “She had this feeling that clay was not her surface,” he explained. “Even though she was winning matches, she always believed it was her weakest.” Changing that mindset, he said, became one of their biggest goals that season.
One particular moment stood out to Mouratoglou. Early in the tournament, Serena had a practice session that he described as “chaotic.” The weather was windy, the clay was slow, and her shots weren’t landing where she wanted. Many players might have let frustration take over, but Mouratoglou said Serena handled it differently. Instead of walking away discouraged, she doubled her training time that day, determined to adjust her footwork and timing.
“That’s Serena,” Mouratoglou said with a smile. “When she’s challenged, she works twice as hard. She doesn’t just accept that something isn’t working — she will grind until she finds the solution.”
That mindset paid off. Serena stormed through the draw, defeating Maria Sharapova in the final to capture her 16th Grand Slam singles title. For Mouratoglou, the win wasn’t just about adding another major trophy to her collection — it was about conquering a long-standing mental block.
“What impressed me most was not the final match, but how she approached every day of the tournament,” he said. “She was focused, she was disciplined, and she was willing to adapt. That’s why she is the champion she is.”
Mouratoglou also revealed a personal detail about their celebrations after the win. While many might expect a night of lavish parties, Serena kept it simple — dinner with close friends and family, followed by rest. “She was already thinking about Wimbledon,” he laughed. “That’s Serena for you. She celebrates, but her mind is always on the next challenge.”
Looking back, Mouratoglou believes the 2013 French Open was one of the most satisfying victories of Serena’s career because it silenced any doubts about her clay-court abilities. More importantly, it proved that her greatest strength wasn’t just her serve or her power — it was her mindset.
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