Serena Williams poses with her coach Patrick Mouratoglou after reclaiming the year-end world No. 1 ranking she last held in 2009.
Serena's golden year —
Serena Williams poses with her coach Patrick Mouratoglou after reclaiming the year-end world No. 1 ranking she last held in 2009.
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The American enjoyed her best year in 2013, capped with a successful defense of her season-ending WTA Championships crown. She won 11 titles, including the French and U.S. Open trophies, and finished the year with 78 wins and just four defeats.
Best season —
The American enjoyed her best year in 2013, capped with a successful defense of her season-ending WTA Championships crown. She won 11 titles, including the French and U.S. Open trophies, and finished the year with 78 wins and just four defeats.
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Serena became the oldest WTA Championships winner by beating Li Na in the Istanbul final and amassed $12.3 million over the season. She became the first player to win 11 titles in a year since Martina Hingis bagged 12 in 1997.
Roast Turkey —
Serena became the oldest WTA Championships winner by beating Li Na in the Istanbul final and amassed $12.3 million over the season. She became the first player to win 11 titles in a year since Martina Hingis bagged 12 in 1997.
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It marked a sensation return to form for Serena, who had tumbled to 175 in the world after a couple of injury-blighted seasons. After surviving a life-threatening blood clot, and coming back from a serious foot injury, she began a long journey to get back to the top of the rankings.
Injury woes —
It marked a sensation return to form for Serena, who had tumbled to 175 in the world after a couple of injury-blighted seasons. After surviving a life-threatening blood clot, and coming back from a serious foot injury, she began a long journey to get back to the top of the rankings.
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One of the lowest moments of Serena's career came with a first round defeat to unseeded opponent Virginie Razzano at the French Open in 2012. It led many to wonder whether she could recapture the glorious heights of yesteryear.
Pain in Paris —
One of the lowest moments of Serena's career came with a first round defeat to unseeded opponent Virginie Razzano at the French Open in 2012. It led many to wonder whether she could recapture the glorious heights of yesteryear.
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While still in Paris, Serena sought out coach Patrick Mouratoglou for help with her game. The results were immediate, Williams going on to win Wimbledon, two Olympic gold medals, the U.S. Open and the WTA Championships.
New coach —
While still in Paris, Serena sought out coach Patrick Mouratoglou for help with her game. The results were immediate, Williams going on to win Wimbledon, two Olympic gold medals, the U.S. Open and the WTA Championships.
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Mouratoglou, with whom Serena has been romantically linked, helped Serena win 16 titles in 16 months, with a record of 95 victories and five defeats. He told CNN of that meeting in Paris: "What surprised me at that point was the motivation she had. She really was prepared to do anything to come back to the top."
Mour to follow —
Mouratoglou, with whom Serena has been romantically linked, helped Serena win 16 titles in 16 months, with a record of 95 victories and five defeats. He told CNN of that meeting in Paris: "What surprised me at that point was the motivation she had. She really was prepared to do anything to come back to the top."
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Twelve months on from that shock defeat in the first round, Serena banished her demons by winning her second French Open title, and her first since 2002, after beating defending champion Maria Sharapova.
Clay court champion —
Twelve months on from that shock defeat in the first round, Serena banished her demons by winning her second French Open title, and her first since 2002, after beating defending champion Maria Sharapova.
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Despite a fourth round exit to Sabine Lisicki at Wimbledon, Serena's dominance was restored in New York as she took the U.S. Open title.
Fairytale of New York —
Despite a fourth round exit to Sabine Lisicki at Wimbledon, Serena's dominance was restored in New York as she took the U.S. Open title.
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Williams is now just one grand slam title behind the 18 won by Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova.
Eyes on the prize —
Williams is now just one grand slam title behind the 18 won by Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova.
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Despite having her most successful year, Mouratoglou thinks Serena can improve yet further. "If she plays her type of game with more efficiency, like being maybe even more aggressive, adding some volleys, she can give another level, which is maybe a bit frightening, but I think she can."
Record-breaking 2014? —
Despite having her most successful year, Mouratoglou thinks Serena can improve yet further. "If she plays her type of game with more efficiency, like being maybe even more aggressive, adding some volleys, she can give another level, which is maybe a bit frightening, but I think she can."
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