‘I took on Draper and Rublev in tennis with guidance from Serena Williams’ former coach.’
Yasmin Syed from Express Sport received coaching from Patrick Mouratoglou before challenging professional players at the Ultimate Tennis Showdown.
The Grand Final of the Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) has taken place in London, featuring an innovative tennis format devised by Patrick Mouratoglou. The tournament, known for its unique scoring system and fast-paced matches, attracted renowned players like Andrey Rublev and Holger Rune, alongside rising star Jack Draper. I had the opportunity to participate in UTS rallies against these players, with Mouratoglou, former coach of Serena Williams, offering valuable guidance to navigate the challenging encounters. In the tennis off-season, events like the UTS provide a distinctive platform for players to showcase their skills, including emotional displays and occasional racket-breaking, all within a strict hour-long schedule for each tie.
As the Grand Final approached at London’s ExCel, I, representing Express Sport, joined a group of reporters in facing off against Rublev, Rune, and Draper in a bid to secure points within the allotted time. However, my lack of tennis proficiency became evident, prompting Mouratoglou to step in as a coach to offer valuable insights before I confronted the formidable challenge against a top British talent and two accomplished top-10 players.
