Serena Williams' Former Coach Addresses Use of Weight Loss Injection, Says It Would Have Made Her Tennis 'Better'

The guiding hand once behind Serena Williams’ success, Patrick Mouratoglou, is sharing his candid thoughts about the tennis legend’s weight loss journey. 

After a decade as coach and athlete, the former coach reflected on the foundation of their relationship and what made it work. 

Williams recently revealed that weight loss medications played a major role in her transformation and promoted the drug. Still, not everyone welcomed her openness, with Jameela Jamil criticizing the athlete’s stance. 

In an interview with The Guardian, Mouratoglou was questioned about Williams' recent admission that she used a GLP-1 weight loss drug. 

The French coach recalled arguing with the tennis icon about her weight during their partnership and the hard conversations they had.

He shared that his concerns about her weight started after her pregnancy. He admitted that he knew that it would take a while for things to return to normal, and he gave her time, but he spelled out certain hard truths for the sports icon.

He explained that “Tennis is a sport in which you can’t afford to be overweight.” He described the need for speed and lightness, and how even “one kilo extra” could change the entire game.

The sports commentator revealed that he clashed with Williams more than once concerning her weight, noting that the decorated player felt as though he was body-shaming her. 

"We had a few fights about it. I remember she did not like when I said that because she thought I was judging her," he recalled.

Mouratoglou stated that he clarified multiple times that he wasn’t concerned about her “look.” Instead, his responsibility was strictly her performance, with their goal being to reclaim her status as the world’s No.1. 

The French coach stated that to attain their goal, they needed a level of efficiency, and her weight was a major factor.

When Mouratoglou was asked if he wished Williams had lost weight earlier, say five or six years earlier, he responded that he was not one to dwell in the past or wallow in what ifs.

“I’m not the type of guy who’s looking back and having regrets. But, yeah, if she would have been in this position physically, the results would have been better,” he stated candidly.

The former No. 1 world tennis player had a great career before Mouratoglou, but their combination took it to an even greater height.

The businessman noted that the crux of their relationship was mutual trust. Complete and reciprocated. Following very closely to that was their ability to understand themselves and push one another.

Williams relied on him and believed that if they could get to No. 1 together before, they could attain it again.

Mouratoglou's comments come after Williams revealed she resorted to GLP-1 medication to drop over 30 pounds.

The sports legends explained that after childbearing, shedding the additional weight felt like an impossible task. She had done all that she knew to do but wasn’t getting the desired results.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion confessed that it was a tough period for her.  Soon, the tennis player decided to look elsewhere for a solution and reached out to a professional who urged her to use GLP-1 medications.

However, being an athlete, whose life is built around determination, grit, and hard work, she struggled with the decision.

She revealed that she had to ensure this was not a “shortcut,” which led her to make enquiries and read up on the entire process.

After losing about 31 pounds, the tennis legend shares that she felt more alive. “I just can do more. I’m more active. My joints don’t hurt as much,” she confessed.

The retired athlete was glad about the result of her journey and decided to share it with her fans and loved ones.

Despite Williams feeling proud of her decision, many, including actress Jamil, weren't. The British activist did not accept Williams' transparency with open arms. 

As reported by The Blast, Jamil took to her socials to warn her followers and whoever cared to listen not to just take the celebrities’ words for it when they promote medications. 

She pointed out that Williams had painted GLP-1 as some sort of “miracle cure.” However, the tennis player had allegedly left out that these medications had deadly side effects.

Another concern she had was that most of these people cannot afford the same doctors these stars use, nor do they have the capacity to correct whatever mishap could happen.

“The thing I feel most uncomfortable about here is that celebrities have access to doctors that most others don't have access to,” she complained.