London (AFP) – Serena Williams was backed by her French coach Patrick Mouratoglou to go on and smash the all-time Grand Slam title record of 24 held by Australia’s Margaret Court.
World number one Williams on Saturday captured a seventh Wimbledon and an Open Era record-equalling 22nd major.
The next target is Court’s all-time high of 24.
“She is someone who beats records and not just equals them,” said coaching guru Mouratoglou.
“We will keep going. I think she will go far because she wants to do it.”
Mouratoglou has now overseen nine of the American’s Slam titles in the 17 majors they have contested together since she suffered a shock first round exit at the 2012 French Open.
The other 13 came in 47 tournaments.
Mouratoglou also said that he felt as if the “real Serena” is now back after going without a Slam since her sixth win at the All England Club last year.
Her first attempt to equal Steffi Graf’s Open Era mark of 22 majors ended in a semi-final loss at the US Open.
She then lost the Australian Open final to Angelique Kerber — the woman she beat at Wimbledon on Saturday — and then the French Open title match to Garbine Muguruza last month.
“It has been more about winning Grand Slams again as it’s been a very difficult eight months,” the 46-year-old French told the BBC.
“Today we found again the real Serena.”
Mouratoglou hailed Williams’s performance as the top seed fired 13 aces and 39 winners against Kerber. She saved the only break point she faced with a 117mph ace.
“She’s an unbelievable player. She has the ability to raise her game on the key moments. When she’s threatened, she hits aces,” he explained.
“She played the best tennis of her life on break point. She has the ability to win the big matches and at the big moments.”
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