A couple of years ago, I reviewed Serena Williams’ MasterClass on tennis. In that piece, I recommended that players revisit it periodically for new insight and perspectives. I recently took my own advice in conjunction with a renewed effort to make better use of my languishing MasterClass subscription. The timing also seemed appropriate with Serena preparing to return to competition at this year’s US Open. Revisiting the class confirmed my original recommendation, but it also subtly changed what I believe the course is actually about.
When I first watched this MasterClass, I viewed it primarily as a well-produced collection of lessons on tennis technique. I characterized it as a set of stroke demonstrations, tactics, and practice recommendations. This time around, I have come to regard Serena’s MasterClass as more about mindset than about mechanics.
The content on technique now feels more like vehicles for discussing preparation, confidence, discipline, and the habits required to compete at the highest level. Nearly every technical lesson eventually circles back to the mental approach behind it. Serena repeatedly explains not just how to execute a shot, but why she thinks the way she does in competition.
Watching it a second time also revealed details that completely escaped my notice the first time around. For example, Sascha Bajin was the hitting partner in the most productionized clips, which suggests the filming took place earlier than I had guessed during my first viewing. They split in early 2015, and he has since pursued a successful WTA coaching career. I also noticed a Richard Williams cameo this time around.
Those moments illustrate one reason instructional videos can reward repeat viewings. The lessons remain the same, but your own perspective evolves. Experience and time can change what you notice.
Looking back, I am actually slightly surprised by how positively I reviewed this course the first time around. Not because I think I overstated its quality, but because I don’t think I fully appreciated why it works. I focused heavily on the production value, which remains exceptional, and on Serena’s ability to explain technique. Both observations were accurate. What I largely overlooked was how intentionally the course develops the mental side of competition alongside the physical one.
That may ultimately be its greatest strength. Opportunities to hear how one of the greatest champions in tennis history prepared herself to compete, managed pressure, responded to adversity, and developed the habits that sustained excellence over an extraordinary career are few and far between.
If you are still clinging to a MasterClass subscription and thought that you were done with Serena Williams’ MasterClass, I encourage you to give it another look. You may discover, as I did, that the lessons hit a little differently the second time around.
