By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday December 5, 2022
Legendary coach and tennis pioneer Nick Bollettieri has passed away at the age of 91.
Photo Source: IMG Academy
Nick Bollettieri, the legendary tennis coach, founder of the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy and a coach to many of the legends of modern tennis, such as Andre Agassi, Boris Becker, Jim Courier, Martina Hingis, Jelena Jankovic, Marcelo Rios, Monica Seles, Maria Sharapova, and, Venus and Serena Williams, has passed away.
He was 91 years old.
Bollettieri founded the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy – now IMG Academy – in 1978. For decades it has been the home to rising stars of the sport, and it fostered a sense of camaraderie and competition for all who attended. It also set the bar for the tennis academies of the future, and helped elevate the role of coaches in the sport.
At his academy, Bollettieri played a starring role, making the rounds with his big personality and spending long days on court with players as he functioned as the face and the guru of his growing tennis empire in southern Florida.
He was always available to talk about the sport, and his infectious enthusiasm for the game – and the hard work it takes to succeed at it – shone through.
“Aside from being the greatest coach ever, you were so kind to me, my parents, and my siblings,” Chris Evert wrote on Twitter. “That meant more to me than anything, you had a big heart and a zest for living.”
“Coach, mentor , tennis enthusiast , life enthusiast – this man will be sorely missed – no words suffice. Thank you Nick,” wrote Paul Annacone.
In 2014, Bollettieri was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.