Fresh details emerge after Serena Williams' split with long-time coach

Patrick Mouratoglou has provided fresh details after his shock split with Serena Williams to work with Simona Halep.

Halep shocked the tennis world last week when she revealed she was teaming up with renowned coach Mouratoglou.

'KING OF STUPIDITY': Novak Djokovic ripped over 'arrogant' move

REVEALED: Details emerge about Ash Barty's shock new career move

The Frenchman had worked with Williams since 2012, helping her win 10 of her 23 grand slam titles and an Olympic gold medal.

But their relationship has now ended, with Mouratoglou switching allegiances to work with Romanian star Halep.

"Excited for a new chapter. Let's get to work," Halep tweeted alongside a photo of her and Mouratoglou on the practice court.

That prompted Mouratoglou to confirm that he'd split with Williams as a result.

"I am now the full-time coach of Simona Halep," he wrote on Twitter.

Williams hasn't played since retiring hurt in the first round at Wimbledon last July, and Mouratoglou said he's missed coaching during the layoff.

Mouratoglou said Halep asked if he was available to coach her while training at his academy in southern France before last month's tournament at Indian Wells.

The Frenchman said it was "out of question at the time" given his commitment to Williams.

"A few weeks later, I had a conversation with Serena, and the door opened for me, at least short term, to work with someone else," he explained.

Patrick Mouratoglou speaks out about Serena split

Mouratoglou has since provided fresh details about his conversation with Williams.

"I missed it big time. Coaching is the passion of my life. It’s the job of my life," he told Tennis Majors.

"And when I went to see Serena to discuss before starting with Simona, that’s what I told her.

"I said, ‘coaching is the passion of my life and it’s difficult for me not to work.’ So yes, I missed coaching big, big time.

"Honestly, since I’m back to coaching with Simona, I cannot be happier. It’s an incredible satisfaction for me to do that job. It’s incredible."

Mouratoglou said he felt an instant connection with Halep.

"Sometimes you feel the connection straight away. Sometimes it takes long," he added.

"In Simona’s case, it was instantly, really. She was very open with me. So that was easy, in a way.

"She made my job easy in being open and giving me the feeling that she’s willing to work and fully commit to what we’re going to do."

Mouratoglou's split with Williams immediately sparked speculation about the American great's future in tennis.

However Williams has since hinted that she's eyeing a return at Wimbledon.

"We've been talking about my comeback and he's been hyping me up and getting me ready for Wimbledon. Can't wait!" Williams said in an Instagram video alongside NFL star Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers replied: "Wimbledon? What about the US Open?"

Williams responded: "Wimbledon is before the US Open! I have to play Wimbledon first!"

Williams skipped the Australian Open in January as she continued her recovery, seeing her ranking plummet to World No.243 as a result.

with agencies

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.