Nick Bollettieri was a larger-than-life coach whose famed Florida tennis academy produced some of the best players in the sport. His former student Tommy Haas led tributes to the “one of a kind” American. Bollettieri died at the age of 91.
Bollettieri, the son of Italian immigrants, joined the US army and dropped out of law school to become a coach. He helped launch the careers of successful athletes like Andre Agassi, Serena and Venus Williams, Monica Seles, and Maria Sharapova.
A spearheading tutor who trained 10 worlds No 1 players, he was drafted into the Global Tennis Lobby of Distinction in 2014.
The 2013 Wimbledon runner-up from Germany, Sabine Lisicki, said Bollettieri had “shaped the game of tennis.”You have provided numerous children with a place to work toward their goals. demonstrating to them that you know everything there is to know and that anything is possible. On Twitter, Lisicki wrote, “I was fortunate to be one of them.”I will deeply miss you!”
In 1978, Bollettieri established the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy. In 1987, the International Management Group purchased it.
Chris Evert, the former women’s No. 1 wrote on Twitter: Nick Bollettieri, RIP. You had a big heart and a zest for life, and in addition to being the greatest coach ever, you were so kind to me, my parents, and my siblings. That meant more to me than anything else.
Another well-known coach who also worked with Serena Williams, Patrick Mouratoglou, stated that Bollettieri had been lost to the tennis family. someone who has contributed to the expansion of our industry and provided coaches and players with opportunities, “he stated. We will always remember you as a very special person and will miss you.
Billie Jean King, the former world number one, referred to Bollettieri as one of the sport’s “most passionate coaches and advocates.”King stated, Nick was always upbeat and was able to bring out the best in everyone he worked with.
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