The world of tennis is mourning the dying of legendary coach Nick Bollettieri at 91 years outdated. The American, who has labored with a number of the greatest names in tennis together with Venus and Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Andre Agassi and Lleyton Hewitt, died on Sunday night time.
In 1978, Bollettieri based the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, which was later bought by IMG Academy. IMG confirmed Bollettieri’s dyingcalling him “one of many best tennis coaches of all time”.
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“Nick Bollettieri, legendary tennis coach and founding father of the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, which served as the inspiration for at this time’s IMG Academy, has handed away,” a press release learn.
Bollettieri’s supervisor, Steve Shulla, confirmed the information Monday, saying the 91-year-old had varied well being issues and died at his house in Florida. “When he received sick, he acquired many fantastic messages from alumni, gamers and coaches. Many came visiting him. He received movies from others,” Shulla stated. “It was fantastic. He touched so many lives and had an incredible ship off.”
Regardless of by no means having performed skilled tennis, Bollettieri labored with a tremendous 10 gamers who turned World No. 1s, together with the Williams sisters, Agassi, Sharapova, Jim Courier, Monica Seles, Boris Becker, Pete Sampras and Australia’s Hewitt.
“Our expensive good friend, Nick Bollettieri, graduated with us final night time. He gave many an opportunity to dwell his dream,” Agassi wrote on Twitter. “He confirmed us all how life could be lived to the fullest… Thanks Nick.”
In 2014 he turned the fourth coach in historical past to be inducted into the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame, whereas six of the gamers he coached are already within the Corridor of Fame. “I solid my very own path, which others discovered unorthodox and downright loopy,” Bollettieri stated in his induction speech on the time. “Sure, I am loopy. However it takes loopy folks to do issues that different folks say cannot be executed.”
The world of tennis mourns the dying of Nick Bollettieri
Tommy Haas, who reached world quantity 2 and 4 Grand Slam semifinals, posted a transferring tribute to his former mentor. “So many recollections, unsure the place to start out,” the 44-year-old posted. “Nickiiii, that is what I’ve referred to as you for a very long time.
“Thanks in your time, data, dedication, expertise, willingness to share your abilities, your private curiosity in guiding me and giving me the most effective probability to comply with my goals. You have been a dreamer and a doer, and a pioneer in our sport, actually one among a sort.”
Corridor of Famer Billie Jean King wrote on Twitter: “Our sport has misplaced one among its most passionate coaches and supporters. Nick was at all times optimistic and was in a position to convey out the most effective in everybody fortunate sufficient to work with him.”
Jimmy Arias, IMG Academy Director of Tennis and one among Bollettieri’s authentic alumni, stated: “Tennis would not be the place it’s at this time with out Nick’s affect. His tennis academy, which I used to be privileged to develop up in, wouldn’t It solely served as a launching pad for a lot of tennis greats, however it turned an establishment that has had a profound influence on the event of athletes in lots of sports activities in any respect ranges.”
Tim Pernetti, President of IMG Academy Bradenton, a division of IMG Academy, added: “Even in his ultimate days, he might usually be discovered on campus, teaching and mentoring younger student-athletes and employees with the identical ardour and enthusiasm than he was — in his 20s. Our hearts exit to his spouse, Cindi, and their youngsters. He has had a long-lasting and lasting influence on all of us.”
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