Serena Williams vs. Andy Murray: Patrick Mouratoglou Still Wants the Match to Happen
The idea of a tennis showdown between Serena Williams and Andy Murray has long intrigued fans, sparking debates on whether a true “Battle of the Sexes” could unfold in modern tennis. While Serena herself has been candid about the vast differences between men’s and women’s tennis, her former coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, remains eager to see the match happen.
The History of ‘Battle of the Sexes’ in Tennis
The concept of male vs. female matchups in tennis is not new. One of the most famous examples was the 1998 Australian Open exhibition match involving the Williams sisters and German player Karsten Braasch. At the time, Venus and Serena boldly claimed they could beat any male player ranked outside the top 200. Braasch, ranked 203rd, took on the challenge. Despite his less-than-athletic lifestyle—one journalist described him as “a man whose training regime centered around a pack of cigarettes and more than a couple of bottles of ice-cold lager”—he comfortably defeated Serena 6–1 and Venus 6–2. Afterward, Braasch confidently stated, “500 and above, no chance,” even admitting that he had played at a level lower than his usual ability just to make it an enjoyable match.
Andy Murray’s Proposal for a Match with Serena
Years later, in 2013, Andy Murray entertained the idea of facing Serena Williams in a fun exhibition match. A Twitter user posed the question, and Murray responded with enthusiasm, saying, “I’d be up for it. Why not?” Serena, however, responded with humor, acknowledging the skill gap between men’s and women’s tennis. She replied, “That would be fun. I doubt I’d win a point, but that would be fun.”
During an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman, Serena further clarified her stance. “If I were to play Andy Murray, I would lose 6-0, 6-0 in five to six minutes, maybe ten minutes,” she admitted. She explained that men play a different style of tennis, with faster movement and harder-hitting shots. Despite her dominance in women’s tennis, she was realistic about the challenges of facing a top-ranked male player.
Patrick Mouratoglou’s Perspective
Patrick Mouratoglou, Serena’s longtime former coach, has recently reignited interest in the idea. In an Instagram clip, he acknowledged the differences between men’s and women’s tennis, particularly in terms of speed. “It’s funny that it’s coming from Serena and that she says men’s and women’s tennis are two different sports,” Mouratoglou said. “I think it is. That’s true, mainly for one reason: It’s the fact that men are so much faster than women, movement-wise.”
He went on to say that Serena frequently trained with male players such as Grigor Dimitrov and Stefanos Tsitsipas. “There was zero problem. Hitting from the center of the court, hitting crosscourt—no problem. They were impressed. When movement was involved, then it was different, and this I agree with her,” he added.
Will the Match Ever Happen?
Despite the intrigue, a match between Serena Williams and Andy Murray remains unlikely. Both players have acknowledged the significant differences in physicality and style of play, and Serena has consistently downplayed the idea of such a contest.
However, Patrick Mouratoglou’s comments indicate that the debate is far from over. Whether or not the match ever takes place, the discussion surrounding it continues to captivate tennis fans, reigniting interest in the concept of a modern-day Battle of the Sexes.
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