Nick Bollettieri, the larger-than-life coach whose famed Florida tennis academy modified the face of the sport by producing a few of its biggest gamers, has died on the age of 91, with ex-student Tommy Haas main tributes to the “one of a kind” American.
The son of Italian immigrant mother and father, Bollettieri served within the United States military and dropped out of legislation college to grow to be a coach, shaping the careers of prime names together with Andre Agassi, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Monica Seles and Maria Sharapova.
A pioneering mentor who coached 10 world quantity ones, he was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2014.
“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,” Indian Wells match director and Germany’s former world quantity two Haas wrote on Instagram.
“You were a dreamer and a doer, and a pioneer in our sport, truly one of a kind.”
Germany’s Sabine Lisicki, the 2013 Wimbledon runner-up, stated that Bollettieri had “shaped the game of tennis”.
“You have given so many children a place to work for their dream. Supporting them with your knowledge and the belief that anything is possible. I was fortunate to be one of them,” Lisicki wrote on Twitter.
“You will be dearly missed!”
Bollettieri’s daughter Angelique Anne had introduced on Facebook final month that her father was nearing the tip.
“Dad is close to transitioning to the next place. Please keep him in your thoughts for a peaceful departure and wonderful journey. We love you, Daddy,” she wrote.
Reports within the US media stated Bollettieri died on Sunday.
One of Bollettieri’s first completed college students was American Brian Gottfried, the world quantity three in 1977.
Bollettieri based the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy the next yr. It was purchased by the International Management Group in 1987.
“RIP Nick Bolletieri. Aside from being the greatest coach ever, you were so kind to me, my parents, and my siblings … that meant more to me than anything, you had a big heart and a zest for living,” stated former ladies’s primary Chris Evert.
Patrick Mouratoglou, one other famous coach who additionally labored with Serena Williams, stated the tennis household had misplaced an vital determine in Bollettieri.
“Someone who has made our industry grow and has opened opportunities for coaches and players,” he stated. “We will remember the very special human being you were and will miss you.”