A pioneering tennis coach who helped a host of Grand Slam winners from a young age has died at the age of 91.
Nick Bollettieri founded his tennis academy in 1978 and went on to coach 10 players who reached world No.1. The likes of Andre Agassi, Boris Becker, Jim Courier, Maria Sharapova along with sisters Venus and Serena Williams were some of those that received expert coaching from Bollettieri.
Bollettieri, from New York, moved to Florida where he pioneered the concept of players living at his tennis academy to prepare them for life on the tennis tour. Agassi was one of the first stars from his tennis coaching structure and the American went on to win eight Grand Slam crowns.
Sharapova, Courier and Monica Seles were among his other Grand Slam winning students while Becker and the Williams sisters were also helped by his advice. Such was the success of the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, the IMG group bought the business in the late 1980s.
German tennis star Tommy Haas was another of his protegees and remained friends with his coach after retirement. He posted a loving tribute on Instagram which said: "Thank you for your time, knowledge, commitment, expertise, the willingness to share your skill, your personal interest in mentoring me and giving me the best opportunity to follow my dreams.
"You were a dreamer and a doer, and a pioneer in our sport, truly one of a kind."
His sentiments were echoed by another former student Jimmy Arias, who was one of Bollettieri’s original students.
He added: "Tennis wouldn’t be where it is today without Nick’s influence. His tennis academy, which I had the privilege of growing up within, not only served as a launching pad for many tennis greats but evolved into an institution that has had a profound impact on the development of athletes across many sports at all levels.”
Despite selling the business, Bollettieri remained a popular figure around the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy and even 'in his last days' could be found coaching the next generation of tennis stars.
"Anyone who knew Nick knows how much he loved developing the potential in young people, coaching tennis and this academy,” said Tim Pernetti, president of IMG Academy Bradenton. “Even in his last days, you could often find him on campus, coaching and mentoring young student-athletes and staff with the same passion and enthusiasm as he did in his 20s."
