The Power of Convincing Others

My first failure in life taught me one thing: the importance of being able to convince people.

My life started with a big failure when at 16 years old: I failed to convince my parents that my dream of becoming a professional tennis player was rational, and to obtain their support.

I blamed them for years, until I realized that I was the one responsible: I could have - I should have - convinced them.

I promised myself I would never fail to convince others again.

A few years later, I was ready to open my tennis academy, with high-level players. 

But I didn’t have a reputation, I didn’t have a name, and I didn’t have good players. I thought that, to be successful, I needed to associate myself with a great coach. 

In my eyes, the best coach at the time was Bob Brett. I was going to get him on board.

I met him in the lobby of his hotel, in Paris, during Roland-Garros with that clear goal. 

I was nobody, I had no track record and not much to offer except my motivation and my ability to convince him.

One hour later, Bob and I shook hands. The Bob Brett Academy was born, and would later become what is known today as the Mouratoglou Academy, the world’s No. 1 tennis academy. 

The next person I was going to convince was no other Serena Williams.

Serena came to my academy after she lost in the first round of the 2012 Roland-Garros. I was standing next to the court, making sure that she did not need anything.everything went well in terms of organization.

The first day, in the middle of practice, she turned to me and said “Talk to me.”

I knew this was my one chance. I had to convince her right away.

“I noticed some mistakes in your match, and you’re doing the same mistakes in practice.”

We worked on it for the rest of her stay, which she extended. She was happy with the work and asked me if I would coach her through Wimbledon. 

She won the tournament in singles and doubles.

 9 years later, we are still working together.

I had one chance and I knew I had to take it.

Understand how the other thinks, processes and what he believes in. With that knowledge you can articulate your point in a way that strikes.

Believe in yourself. 

When you speak, always look at the person in the eyes.

Express yourself with calm and conviction.