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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 16: Coach Patrick Mouratoglou watches Serena Williams of the United States practice during day nine of the 2021 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on February 16, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mackenzie Sweetnam/Getty Images)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 16: Coach Patrick Mouratoglou watches Serena Williams of the United States practice during day nine of the 2021 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on February 16, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mackenzie Sweetnam/Getty Images)
Two tennis legends, Serena Williams and Roger Federer have bid farewell to the sport. These players come from a different generation who have changed the face of tennis. Serena Williams’ former coach shared insight on the old trends of tennis and why it needs to change.
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Tennis is a sport that derives emotions, and its fans, unlike other sports, require patience and devotion. The matches are long and every shot across the court is nerve-wracking.
Patrick Mouratoglou, former coach of Serena Williams, sheds light on tennis
The incumbent coach of Simona Halep and former coach of Serena Williams talked about the primitive nature of the sport. He voiced his concern for the sport and how its popularity can be increased. In a podcast interview, he said, “If we look at tennis, the average age of a tennis fan is over 60 years old. Because the fan base has been created in the 70s and the 80s.”
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Serena Williams with coach Patrick Mouratoglou as they head to training before the start of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at Wimbledon on June 28, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
He diverted the attention towards the lack of a younger fanbase of tennis fans. He said, “Fans are still the same people, but the tennis is not recruiting new fans, younger fans because the tennis product that you see on TV.”
He gave an example, pointing out the longer duration of matches. Mouratoglou questioned, “Who is sitting and watching a five-hour anything today? Nobody.” Concluding his concern for this sport, he said, “Tennis needs to reinvent itself, to be able to be relevant in today’s world.”
Legacy set by Williams
Serena retired after forming a glorious career over the span of 27 years. With 23 grand slam titles in the singles category, she has broken many records. She was criticized for her gameplay or irrelevant issues, like her looks but Williams let her racquet do the talking and became a tennis legend. She has become an inspiration for the new generation of players like Iga Swiatek, Naomi Osaka, and Coco Gauff.
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With the new generation of players, will we see a change in the nature of tennis too?
Written by
Edited by
Pritam Priyedarshi