Mouratoglou Recounts Doubting Himself During baghdatis’s 2006 Australian Open Run
Tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou once questioned his abilities during a pivotal moment in Marcos Baghdatis’s 2006 Australian Open campaign, revealing he felt like a ”terrible” coach despite his player’s success. The confession highlights the internal pressures faced by elite coaches and offers insight into Mouratoglou’s evolving beliefs, notably his emphasis on a player’s belief in themselves.
Mouratoglou, now widely recognized for his work with players like Serena Williams and Holger Rune, was in the early stages of his coaching career when guiding Baghdatis to a career-best season. the Cypriot reached the Australian Open final and the Wimbledon semifinals in 2006, achieving a peak ranking of world No. 8 under Mouratoglou’s guidance. Though, it was a specific match during the Australian Open where mouratoglou experienced self-doubt. He recalls a situation where Baghdatis won despite what Mouratoglou perceived as a tactical error on his part. “I learned something big this day,” Mouratoglou said. “Thankfully, he didn’t feel it. Otherwise, he would probably have lost. But he believed. I mean, the guy plays for the moment, and he found a way. And that’s really special.”
Mouratoglou began working with Baghdatis in 1999,inviting the then-14-year-old to his academy. Baghdatis quickly rose through the junior ranks, becoming the world No. 1 junior player and winning the 2003 Australian boys’ title. Their partnership blossomed on the ATP Tour, culminating in the remarkable 2006 season.
Despite reaching a career-high ranking that year, Baghdatis was unable to return to the top ten for the remainder of his professional career, retiring in 2019. Mouratoglou’s experience with Baghdatis, however, shaped his coaching approach, underscoring the importance of a player’s mental fortitude and ability to perform under pressure – lessons he would later apply with even greater success on the world stage.