Nick Bollettieri, the larger-than-life coach whose famed Florida tennis academy modified the face of the game by producing a few of its biggest gamers, has died on the age of 91, described by alumnus Tommy Haas as “one of the greatest”. Tribute to Kind of American.
The son of Italian immigrant dad and mom, Bollettieri served within the United States Army and dropped out of regulation college to turn into a coach, serving to form the careers of prime names together with Andre Agassi, Serena and Venus Williams, Monica Seles, and Maria Sharapova. obtained the dimensions
A pioneering mentor who skilled 10 world No. 1 gamers, he was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2014.
Indian Wells match director and Germany’s former world quantity two Haas wrote, “Your time, knowledge, commitment, expertise, willingness to share your skills, your personal interest in mentoring me and inspiring me to follow my dreams have been the most valuable resources.” Thank you for giving me an important alternative.” On Instagram.
A pioneer, a visionary, a mentor, a coach and a pal 💜
One of the largest influences within the sport of tennis, Nick Bollettieri has handed away on the age of 91.
— WTA (@WTA) December 5, 2022
“You were a dreamer and a doer, and a pioneer in our sport, truly one of a kind.”
2013 Wimbledon runner-up Sabine Lisicki of Germany mentioned that Bollettieri “shaped the game of tennis”.
“You have given so many children a place to work to fulfill their dreams. Supporting them with your knowledge and the belief that anything is possible. I was lucky enough to be one of them,” Lisicki wrote on Twitter.
“You will be greatly missed!”
Bollettieri’s daughter, Angelique Anne, introduced on Facebook final month that her father was nearing his finish.
“Dad is close to moving on to the next place. Please keep him in your thoughts for a peaceful departure and wonderful journey. We love you, daddy,” she wrote.
Nick Bollettieri teaching Sharapova, the Williams sisters, Rios, Hewitt and plenty of extra ♥️ pic.twitter.com/rXcqjk01uz
— Luigi Cat (@gigicat7_) December 5, 2022
US media studies mentioned Bollettieri died on Sunday.
One of Bollettieri’s first achieved college students was American Brian Gottfried, who was ranked world quantity three in 1977.
Bollettieri established the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy the next 12 months. It was purchased by International Management Group in 1987.
“RIP Nick Bolletieri. Besides being the greatest coach I ever had, you were so kind to me, my parents and my siblings… It meant more to me than anything, you had a big heart and a zest to live Was,” mentioned former girls’s primary Chris Evert.
Patrick Mouratoglou, one other famend coach who labored with Serena Williams, mentioned the tennis household had misplaced an essential individual in Bollettieri.
“Someone who has grown our industry and opened up opportunities for coaches and players,” he mentioned. “We will miss the special human being that you were and will miss you.”
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
