Serena Williams major contender for French Open, says coach

Coach Patrick Mouratoglou has backed Serena Williams to be a major contender for the French Open title.

Williams fell just short again in her pursuit of a first grand slam crown for four years at the Australian Open in February, losing to Naomi Osaka in the semi-finals, and her next chance comes at Roland Garros next month.

Williams has not been beyond the fourth round at the French Open since returning to the sport in 2018 following the birth of daughter Olympia but she has twice been forced to withdraw through injury.

Mouratoglou cited the 39-year-old’s improved fitness as the key factor behind her impressive form in Australia and is looking to continue that work during the build-up to Roland Garros, which begins on May 23.

He told the PA news agency: “She did a tremendous effort before the Australian Open and was very much in shape so this is something that we definitely want to keep and continue to improve because it’s a key, and it’s going to be even more a key on clay.”

“I think she can really play very good on clay, she just has to be really very fit because on clay the serve is not as efficient and you have to work much more. Every rally is a fight. But I feel if she’s really, really ready, physically 100 per cent, then she can be very dangerous on clay as well.” He reiterated.

Tobi Sangotola/Sportsmole