Unlearn

Coming Back

In 2010, Serena Williams was ranked as the world’s number one female tennis player. But after she stepped on a piece of glass, she couldn’t get her game back in order even long after her foot healed. In 2012, she suffered a crushing defeat to a player ranked 111th. She doubted if she’d ever be on top again. Such doubts come when the methods that worked to get you to where you are today no longer work to keep you in place. How do you adapt? Often, the obstacle to change is an old method or mind-set that you need to “unlearn.”  

After her defeat, Williams unwound at Patrick Mouratoglou’s French Tennis Academy. She found his insights helpful, and hired him as her coach to prepare for Wimbledon. He helped her “unlearn” what she knew. Williams and Mouratoglou set their sights on a big goal – a comeback Grand Slam win – and focused on small changes to build trust and confidence. Their collaboration led to breakthroughs and strengthened Williams’s resolve to bounce back. In the summer of 2012, Williams won Wimbledon and the Olympics.

The “Unlearning Cycle: Unlearn, Relearn and Breakthrough”