Mouratoglou defends Serena Williams, saying she has nothing to prove

Serena Williams finished the 1997 season inside the top-100 at 16, embracing 16 year-end top-10 finishes and keeping her desire for tennis alive ever since, despite turning 40 this year.

A couple of days ago, Ion Tiriac said some awful things about Serena and her age and weight, urging the legend to retire as soon as possible. Like many others, Serena's coach Patrick Mouratoglou defended his player, suggesting that Serena claimed the WTA title a year ago in Auckland and that no one should question her desire and motivation.

Serena won the 23rd Major title at the Australian Open 2017, gave a berth to a daughter later that year and returned to the court in 2018. The American reached four Major finals in 2018 and 2019 at Wimbledon and the US Open, losing them all and still craving that elusive 24th Major crown. Serena will have the first opportunity at the Australian Open in February, winning the title in Melbourne seven times and hoping for another in five weeks.

"A year ago today, Serena reached a new milestone: she won her first title as a mother, at the ASB Classic in Auckland. She didn't need to prove anything at that stage, but she did prove to the world that she still has it in her, no matter the circumstances, no matter the challenges.

Let's make 2021 a memorable one," Patrick Mouratoglou said.