What a match! Serena Williams gets cosy with her tennis coach on romantic stroll through French town

PUBLISHED: 10:21 EST, 16 September 2012 | UPDATED: 10:27 EST, 16 September 2012

It looks like Serena Williams is taking part in a new type of tennis match.

The 30-year-old sports star, who recently bagged the U.S. Open and Olympics titles, appears to have also won the heart of her tennis coach, Frenchman Patrick Mouratoglou.

The pair were spotted getting very cosy on the streets of the French town of Valbonne this week, as they dined out and stood cheek-to-cheek while peering at listings in the window of a realtors.

Affectionate: Tennis star Serena Williams has been spotted out with her coach, Frenchman Patrick Mouratoglou, in Valbonne, Southern France

Love match: They seemed very much together as they looked at real estate listings. Serena placed her hand in Mouratoglou's back pocket as he put his arm on her shoulder and put his face close to hers

Love all: Tennis star Serena Williams has been spotted getting close to her coach, Frenchman Patrick Mouratoglou, while on a day out in Valbonne, southern France

Day out: They looked at listings for properties along the French Riviera on their stroll

Inseparable: The pair peered at listings for properties along the French Riviera during their stroll

Williams was spotted with her hand in the back pocket of Mouratoglou's trousers in a comfortable gesture that shows their relationship could be more than just professional.

In return, he placed his arm gently on her back as they strolled, barely inches apart, along the Riviera town's streets.

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While enjoying lunch at a restaurant, Mouratoglou affectionately touched Williams' shoulder as they appeared locked in conversation and oblivious to the activity swarming around them.

Mouratoglou runs a tennis academy in France and has been working with Williams since her early departure from French Open this summer.

Close: The U.S. tennis star and her coach appeared inseparable as they walked through the streets

Close: The U.S. tennis star and her coach were barely inches apart as they walked through the streets

Great match: Mouratoglou, who laughed as he chatted with Serena, began coaching the star after her exit from the French Open. She has since won the U.S. Open, Wimbledon and Olympics

Not-so professional relationship: The couple were seen enjoying lunch - and a clinch - at a nearby restaurant

'She said, "I want to win Wimbledon, I want to start now." That’s simple. That’s how it started,' he said.

Serena has since won Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and gold at the Olympics, proving they are a good match. Mouratouglou has also sat in player's box during matches.

And now these pictures fuel rumours that they are also a good love match, with French tennis site PKTennis reporting: 'Mouratoglou and Williams are seeing each other.'

And the pictures of them gazing into the window of Bruce International Properties, which sells property on the French Riviera, could suggest just how well their relationship is going.

Affectionate: They appeared deep in conversation as he placed his arm on her back and she touched his leg

Lunch date: They were unaware of the activity swarming around them as they dined out

The look of love: Serena gazes at Mouratouglou, who runs a tennis academy near Paris

Fondness: There have previously been rumours they are dating, and these pictures show just how close they are

Fond: There have previously been rumours they are dating, and these pictures show just how close they are

Williams has previously been linked to actor and rapper Common, with whom she split in May 2010 after two years of dating.

The breakup came less than two weeks after Common, who is ten years her senior, told chat show host Ellen DeGeneres he was planning to marry the tennis champion.

Prior to her relationship with the entertainer, Serena dated actor Jackie Long and was also linked to film maker Brett Ratner.

Hopefully she has more success with Mouratoglou, who has proven a good match for a fair few tennis players, garnering grand slam finals and more than a dozen junior titles.

Winner: Williams went on to win the U.S. Open on September 9 after Mouratoglou began coaching her

Success: She also won gold at the Olympics in the women's singles and the doubles with her sister Venus

Her U.S. Open win against Victoria Azarenka at start of the month became her fourth championship win at Flushing Meadows and 15th Grand Slam title overall.

'I honestly can't believe I won.,' she said during the trophy presentation. 'I really was preparing my runner-up speech, because I thought, "Man, she's playing so great".'

It came months after she had an unexpectedly quick exit from the French Open in May, which marked the American's only first-round exit in 49 career major tournaments.

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OMG since when did her and Common break up? Wow Im so behind :/ Yikes. They look cute together btw.

- Tchanti_91 , Auckland, 17/9/2012 04:27

Click to rate Rating 2

serena seems a lovely girl i just wish she would straighten her hair...the volume..is ..how do you say?? can that frenchman handle that much???

- Adored , Sydney Australia, 17/9/2012 03:02

Click to rate Rating 9

Frankly, he has a nose like a hook!

- Carlotta , London, United Kingdom, 17/9/2012 02:56

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they look kind of funny together because she is so strong and athletic. it's like she could easily beat the poor guy up if she wanted to. but, joking aside, they do look like they are in love. hope it works out, serena appears very cool and after everything she's achieved professionally deserves a little romance in her life too.

- Andrea , Belgrade, Serbia, 17/9/2012 00:58

Click to rate Rating 53

i am sure he is lovely, but she can do better.

- mayfairgirl , Toronto, Canada, 17/9/2012 00:15

Click to rate Rating 31

At the very least its someone she can trust. someone that has been there from the beginning?

- Moi , London, United Kingdom, 16/9/2012 23:35

Click to rate Rating 31

She looks soft and vulnerable a woman, not the fierce competitor that she can be.

- Green Eyed , Somerset, United Kingdom, 16/9/2012 23:15

Click to rate Rating 80

Lucky guy. She is rich, confident, famous and sexy.

- Keith , London, United Kingdom, 16/9/2012 22:57

Click to rate Rating 85

I bet if all the persons who post nasty remarks about others lack of beauty or ugliness, submit a photograph of themselves, they we would found wanting and no better looking than those they denegrate. There is someone for everyone in this world...THANK GOD FOR THAT, because it allows all of us to dream that someone will love us and we love them and find us attractive(beauty in the eye....). The next time you think about being unkind about others, take a look at yourself and be aware of your own limitations.

- macko , new york, United States, 16/9/2012 22:20

Click to rate Rating 138

@ Just curios, New York (21:32) You can't even write a comment properly and you're telling someone to have a nose job?!! Shows how much you know! PS: Next time you might consider deliting the "Your comments" before leaving your terribly useful (not) comments.

- Tracy , Chelsea, 16/9/2012 21:56

Click to rate Rating 37

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