Patrick Mouratoglou, "The Coach"
Patrick Mouratoglou, also known as “The Coach”, currently the most influential coach in tennis, sharing his incredible journey with us, starting with his difficulties in his childhood to overcoming them and turning his passion for Tennis first into a business (Academy) and then into a profession (Coach). Amazing stories and incredible learning on multiple levels. Best warm up story ever on the Sports Entrepreneurs Podcast. I am certain you will enjoy it. Key Highlights Early childhood stories and challenges (from low self esteem and panic attacks) and the lessons from it Winning the fight against his body and mind at the age of 11 – (first little victory) – lesson, we are the product of our life lessons (have a little win every day) Started playing tennis at the age of 4, playing 8 hours per day – Court was only place where he felt safe and confident Age 15, parents “forced” him to stop playing against his will – another turning point in his life – his dream was destroyed Age 17, started psycho therapy for 10 years – developed tremendous skills how to read people due to his in-ability to interact with people Working in his father’s company to learn the trade from the ground up – but wasn’t for him – pursued his passion for tennis again Great life Lessons from his meetings with his parents Starting his first academy – renting two Courts (for E$ 3 per court per hour) – putting flyers on cars – after one year 40 “average” players taking lessons Next step – approached Bob Brett (at that time Boris Becker’s coach) to partner with him for the “Bob Brett Academy” Had two months to put it all together before Bob Brett showed up. Patrick was the “manager” and running the academy, unfortunately, after six years Bob leaves. Worst business decision to build a name for someone else and now the “brand” disappears on him – luckily his young players stayed on He decided to put his own name on the “door”. Only problem was, he was not a Coach (yet). From that decision onwards, it took him 10 years to win his first Grand Slam as a Coach – we unpack that incredible journey Marcos Baghdatis, first protégé, next lesson (from bad coaching) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, just made French Open Final – 16 years old when she joined him, struggling together, great story Serene Williams, she was going through a tough moment when they first met, hadn’t won a Grand Slam for two years and lost in first round in Paris Called him to train in his tennis academy in Paris (at that time he was coaching Grigor Dimitrov) – “talk to me” story He showed her what he thought she was doing wrong, working for 3 days and she loved it – next meeting in Wimbledon (which she won while Patrick coached her) Massively successful year in 2012, winning Grand Slams, Olympic Gold, etc at the age of 30 – and 10 Grand Slams later Patrick Mouratoglou Academy - from Nice, France to Greece & Dubai (Tennis Centers within top resorts) Schooling and sports program – 200 students, 40 different nationalities – also for families, hotel, medical center, seminar area, etc UTS – Ultimate Tennis Showdown – amazing new concept, shorter format, adapted rules, focused on digital audiences, players love it Patrick talks us through his vision for UTS and what he thinks is right and wrong with tennis right now – must listen for anyone in the business of tennis UTS formula - short, dynamic, immersive and authentic content – started in 2020 in height of pandemic – coverage across 100 countries, 20 mil viewers, 10 invited players Raising US$ 50 million right now, to build a League, 10 events per year in amazing locations across the world – like F1 (only same 10 players) About Patrick Mouratoglou is a French tennis coach and sports commentator of Greek descent. He has been the coach of Serena Williams since June 2012. He founded the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in 1996 near Paris (later relocated to the outskirts of Nice), and has coached many up-and-coming players, including M