Tennis legend Nick Bollettieri has passed away aged 91. Tributes have been pouring in on Monday since his former protege and long-time friend Tommy Haas confirmed the news with a heartfelt Instagram post, as the American reportedly died in his Florida home on Sunday. It comes after one of his daughters, Angelique, shared an update last month as she confirmed that the iconic tennis coach was “close to transitioning to the next place”. Bollettieri changed the face of the game when he opened the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in 1978 and worked with the likes of Serena and Venus Williams, Andre Agassi and Monica Seles.
Tributes have been flooding in after Bollettieri reportedly passed away at his family home in Florida on Sunday. The 91-year-old pioneered the idea of a coaching academy when he opened his Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy 44 years ago and went on to coach a whole host of big names in the sport, including ten former world No 1s in the Williams sisters, Agassi, Seles, Maria Sharapova and Boris Becker among others.
His daughter had shared an update on his health on November 19, as she revealed he was “close to transitioning to the next place” but the tennis icon confirmed he was “alive and kicking” in a statement one day later. News of his death broke on Monday when Tommy Haas shared an emotional tribute to his former coach on Instagram.
“So many memories, I am not sure where to begin. Nickiiiii, that’s how I have called you for the longest time. 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,” the retired former world No 2 wrote.
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“I surely will miss you around the academy, our Tennis talks, miss showing of your tan, white teeth and body fat , miss watching you do Tai Chi, miss playing Golf with you watching you try to cheat, eating a Snickers bar and running for the bushes, and hearing all about your plans even at the age of 91. Thanks again for everything…….. RIP Nickiiiii,” he added.
2013 Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki quickly shared her own tribute following Haas’ post, writing: “It’s hard to find the right words and I’m not sure if I’ll be able to. You have given so many children a place to work for their dream. Supporting them with your knowledge and the believe that anything is possible. I was fortunate to be one of them.
“So many memories we created together that I will cherish forever. You’ve shaped the game of tennis and even just a couple of months ago at 92 you were telling me all about your next plans. You will be dearly missed.”
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Bollettieri was born in New York to Italian immigrant parents and, after dropping out of law school, turned his attention to becoming a tennis coach as he launched the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, which is now the IMG Academy. He was the first man to pioneer the boarding school-style academy, and the likes of the Williams sisters frequented the facility for years as parents vied to send their aspiring tennis player children to be trained on-site.
Agassi was one of his first players to reach No 1 in the world, and Bollettieri worked as a travelling coach with the eight-time Major champion from 1986 to 1993, later claiming his greatest achievement as a mentor was guiding Agassi to his 1992 Wimbledon title. He previously joked that he would have chosen the former world No 1 over one of his former wives, saying: “But there was one marriage when I was coaching Andre Agassi where my wife said ‘Andre or me’ and I replied: ‘I’ll just pack and be gone.’”
Bollettieri was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2014 for his services to the game. He is survived by his wife Cindi Eaton, who he wed in April 2004, and his seven children – James, Danielle, Angelique, Nicole, Alexandra and adopted sons Giovanni and Giacomo.
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