The tennis world has lost one of its greats!
Nick Bollettieri († 91) passed away on Sunday. Recently there had been rumors about his deteriorating health. This is reported by “Tennis World”.
During his career, Bollettieri opened a well-known tennis academy and helped legends such as André Agassi (52), Jim Courier (52), Monica Seles (49), Serena (41) and Venus Williams (42) and Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova (35) on their way to the top of the world.
Nick Bollettieri at his tennis camp in Florida in April 1993
German ex-tennis professional Tommy Haas (44), who moved to Nick Bollettieri’s tennis camp at the age of 13, wrote on Instagram: “So many memories, I don’t even know where to start. Nickiiiiii, that’s what I called you for the longest time. Thank you for your time, your knowledge, your commitment, your expertise, your willingness to share your skills, 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.”
Strange scene in the background… Live interview with Matthew interrupted!
The first tennis player coached by Bollettieri to reach the top of the ATP rankings was Jim Courier. In 1993, Bollettieri became coach of Boris Becker (55), who had already reached the top of the world rankings on January 28, 1991.
The first to reach the top of the WTA rankings was the very young Monica Seles, a few weeks after Becker, on March 11, 1991.
