Serena Williams is arguably one of the greatest ever players in the history of tennis. The American’s 23 Grand Slam titles is a record in the Open Era but overall she still trails Margaret Court, who has 24 major titles and her coach admits that he is looking forward to the day when Williams not only ties the record but beats it.

The former World No.1 has had the opportunities in the last 12 months to not only equal Court’s record but also surpass it but has been unable to make it count. Williams made the finals at Wimbledon and the US Open in 2018 and again reached the summit clash at SW19 earlier in July this year.

She lost all three finals to Angelique Kerber, Naomi Osaka and Simona Halep respectively which raised questions about her ability to add another Grand Slam title to her kitty. Williams is confident that she is on the right track to getting back to her best after taking almost a year off in 2017 to give birth to daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian.

Serena Williams
Serena Williams reacts after a point against Czech Republic's Karolina Pliskova during their women's singles quarter-final match on day ten of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Jan. 23, 2019. JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images

Williams’ coach Patrick Mouratoglou spoke about how he does not have to be strict when it comes to coaching the current world no. 9 as they trust and believe in each other to do what is necessary in training. He also admitted that their chase to win the 24th Grand Slam title has been a difficult one but is certain that the joy when it arrives will be multiplied due to the hardships faced along the way.

“With her, I am not strict at all. It happens a couple of times but she does not need it. We have a good relationship, we trust each other,” Mouratoglou said, as quoted on Tennis World USA. “It's a bit easier because I think she trusts me, she believes in me. Winning the 24th Major would be great, but it would also mean that there is one more to win because you do not want to equal a record, you want to beat it."

“But you have to go step by step. Having the 24th would be unbelievable because it has been so tough. There is a lot of suffering, a lot of disappointment, and when you fight a lot to get something, your joy gets multiple. I am looking forward to this moment to come,” he added.

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