Patrick Mouratoglou’s expertise in tennis is widely recognized, making him an exceptional source of advice for the sport.
He spent a long stretch with Serena Williams and more recently parted ways with Naomi Osaka.
The Frenchman has worked with several top players over the years, but his most successful spell came during his time with Williams.
Nowadays, he continues to follow the sport, aligning with numerous players in advocating for a schedule change.
Mouratoglou also shares insights on his social media, giving aspiring and professional players free access to his key tips.
Four practical tips from Patrick Mouratoglou for hitting a slice
Mouratoglou recently shared four simple tips on how to hit an effective slice, and his followers were quick to take notice.
He demonstrated on Instagram: “Number one, don’t hit the ball too much in front. There is no way you can drive the ball like that.
“For better control, let the ball position itself between your hips, but more on the front part and next to you on the side.
“Number two, cut down the ball first and then in the direction of the target. Of course, do that in one single motion. Ideally it should look like a curve.
“Number three, use your opposite arm to keep your shoulders in the right direction. Four, pass your back leg in front of your front leg after your shot for a better weight dispatch.”
How Roger Federer became a master of the slice
Very few players have truly mastered the slice shot, given how tricky it can be to execute consistently well.
Steffi Graf and Stefan Edberg were both known for their slice, but it is Roger Federer’s backhand slice that stands out as one of the game’s most memorable strokes.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion discussed his growth in this area during the 2019 US Open, attributing it to his formative years at the Swiss National Tennis Center.
“I don’t know if it’s evolved, ever. It’s the only shot I could hit when I was younger because of a lack of power in my shoulder.
“I struggled to come over [the top] when I was little. I remember when I went to play in front of the National Tennis Center, the coaches, if they were going to pick me or not, I was like, ‘Well, I better come over my backhand, otherwise they think I can only slice,’ which I could only really do.
“They picked me. Then, as I grew stronger, my backhand started to evolve in terms of my coming over the backhand. But my base, in a way, has always been my slice. I always enjoyed playing that shot.
“Some conditions allow you to hit it better than others. Nowadays, with slow conditions, it’s sometimes harder to utilize, but I still think it has a great place in the game today.”
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