With 2025 now in the rearview mirror, renowned tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou has offered his perspectives on what he would like to see unfold in professional tennis during 2026. In a recent Instagram post, Serena Williams’ former coach outlined five specific hopes for the sport, ranging from emerging talents making breakthrough moments to the possibility of legendary comebacks.
5) Coco Gauff Dominating the WTA Tour
Mouratoglou believes American star Coco Gauff possesses the ability to establish herself as a multiple Grand Slam winner in 2026. She captured her first major title at the 2023 US Open and her second Grand Slam at the 2025 French Open, where she defeated World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka with a comeback victory of 6-7, 6-2, 6-4.
At just 21 years old, Gauff now competes as one of the sport’s top young talents. “She’s won already two. She’s extremely young still, and I feel she can start to do more. She can start to win two, three per year,” Mouratoglou stated.
The coach emphasizes that while Gauff has shown exceptional promise, certain refinements remain necessary in her overall game. “There are some areas in her game that need to progress. I know she’s working hard, so I know the progress will be made,” he explained.
Mouratoglou points to the competitive field at the top of the women’s game, naming several rivals with whom Gauff will need to compete directly, including Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Amanda Anisimova, and Iga Świątek.
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He expressed confidence in her positioning among these players, saying, “I really feel that Coco has a place there. She has a spot. She has the level. There are a few things that need to be improved in her game, and if she makes those improvements, she can win one or several Grand Slams next year.”
4) Big Three to Dominate Alongside Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz
Mouratoglou’s fourth wish addresses what he perceives as the overwhelming dominance of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in men’s tennis.
The Italians and Spaniards divided the four Grand Slams between them in 2025, with Sinner claiming the Australian Open and Wimbledon while Alcaraz captured the Roland Garros and US Open. This represented the second consecutive year these two players split all four majors.
Additionally, Sinner and Alcaraz were the only two players to hold the World No. 1 ranking throughout 2025.
“I want to see a third guy between Alcaraz and Sinner because they’re dominating too much,” Mouratoglou said. He mentioned the era dominated by Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, which he regards as a golden period for the men’s game.
“We were so excited by the trio – Novak, Roger, Rafa – that was so incredible. If we could have the same. It would be amazing,” he stated. Mouratoglou mentioned several candidates who could potentially emerge as serious challengers, including Ben Shelton, João Fonseca, and Jack Draper.
However, he acknowledged that these players still fall short of the elite level. “They’re close, they have a good mindset, but they are not at the level yet. I hope one of them will make enough progress in the next six months to potentially start to be a threat for them at the end of 2026,” he said.
3) Serena Williams’ Legendary Return
Mouratoglou offered what he acknowledged would be a surprising wish in his third point: a competitive return to professional tennis by Williams. The 44-year-old, who holds the record for 23 Grand Slam singles titles in the Open Era, has not competed professionally since 2022.
However, recent developments have sparked speculation about a possible comeback. In December 2025, Williams rejoined the International Registered Testing Pool, a mandatory requirement for any player seeking to return to competitive play. This administrative step signals she has made the decision to explore a return to the sport.
Williams has posted videos of herself playing tennis, and even Djokovic expressed public support for a potential return.
2) Stefanos Tsitsipas and Holger Rune Finding Their Way Back
Mouratoglou’s second wish focuses on his own players, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Holger Rune, each of whom has faced significant obstacles to competing at the highest level.
Tsitsipas has endured a difficult period marked by recurring back injuries that plagued much of his 2025 season. The Greek player, a former World No. 3, has previously reached two Grand Slam finals and advanced to three semifinals, representing the level at which he is capable of competing.
“For Stefanos, it has been difficult the last two years. I know how unbelievable he can play still, so I really wish for him to come back to his best level, which is definitely being in the top five in the world,” Mouratoglou explained.
Rune faces a more severe challenge following a torn Achilles tendon suffered during the Nordic Open semifinals in Stockholm in October 2025. The injury forced him to undergo surgery and required an extended rehabilitation period.
“I would love to see what we all saw on social media – him working hard on one leg on the court, doing a lot of fitness,” Mouratoglou said. Despite the serious nature of Rune’s injury, Mouratoglou expressed optimism about his future prospects.
He added, “If he uses that time well to take big decisions for his career, for his future to work hard, maybe at the end we will think that was a blessing. Difficult to think this now, but maybe we will in the future. And I know that he’s working hard and giving his best. So I have high hopes for him. My hope for 2026 is to see him come back and kill it straight away.”
1) Patrick Mouratoglou Wishes to Witness History in 2026
Mouratoglou’s primary wish centers on Djokovic capturing at least one more Grand Slam title to reach 25 majors. The Serbian legend currently holds the record for most Grand Slam singles titles in men’s tennis with 24 major championships.
Winning another major in 2026 would represent a remarkable achievement given his age and the dominance of Sinner and Alcaraz.
In 2025, although Djokovic did not win a Grand Slam, he demonstrated remarkable durability by becoming the oldest man in the Open Era to reach the semifinals of all four majors in a single calendar year, at the age of 38.
“It’s never been so difficult because, as we all know, Sinner and Alcaraz are killing the game, they’re so much above. When Novak had to play them, he said. It was too difficult, too high, especially in five sets,” Mouratoglou explained.
Djokovic himself has acknowledged the formidable challenge facing them, expressing that the odds are stacked against him. Mouratoglou echoed this assessment while hoping for such an outcome.
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“The chances are small. Novak himself says it. And how amazing it would be for him, who is the Greatest Of All Time on the men’s side to win one last Grand Slam in the era of Alcaraz and Sinner and score an unbelievable 25th Grand Slam.”
The prospect of another major title would further solidify Djokovic’s legacy as the greatest men’s singles player in tennis history.
