Nick Bollettieri, coach number 1 has died: why he was a tennis pioneer and how he built legends

The tennis world is in mourning. After long weeks of battling cancer this Sunday Nick Bollettieri is dead, legend maker as Andre Agassi, Boris Becker, pete samprassisters Venus and Serena Williams, Mónica Seles and Martina Hingis, among other sports figures.

He was 91 years old and was characterized by his open and outgoing character. A good example of this is the fact that two weeks ago, when the rumor spread on social networks that he was dead, he himself denied it on Instagram stating that “the old Italian dog” was “alive and well”.

The son of Italian immigrants, Bollettieri studied law, graduated in philosophy and served in the US Army, but his true passion was sport and, once he discovered it, brought dozens of players to the world tennis elite. From his hands came Grand Slam champions and world number 1, both at ATP and WTA level.

It all started in a hotel in Puerto Rico, far from the lights of the big circuits, and over time he has earned a name in the tennis scene which currently recognizes him as one of the most important coaches in its history. He opened his Academy in Florida in 1978 and has forged great figures such as María Sharapova, Mary Pierce, Jim Courier, Marcelo Ríos and Tommy Haas.

​​And it was the German himself who announced the news of his death: “So many memories, I don’t know where to start. Nickiiii, that’s how I’ve been calling you for a long time. Thank you for your time, knowledge, effort, experience, willingness to share your skills, your personal interest in guiding me and giving me the best opportunity to follow my dreams.”posted the former world number 2 on Instagram.

“You have been a dreamer, an actor and a pioneer in our very unique sport. I will definitely miss you at the academy, at our tennis talks, I will miss your tan, white teeth and body fat. I will miss seeing you do Tai Chi, play golf with you and watch you try to cheat, eat a Snickers bar and run through the bushes, hear all about your plans, even at the age of 91.”

“Thanks again for everything……..RIP Nickiiii”concluded Haas.

Although as a player he was an amateur, Bollettieri is considered a revolutionary. He pioneered boarding schools in tennis, what is seen today on a large scale with the Rafa Nadal Academy, and has historically highlighted his ability to get the best out of every player at the expense of maximum demand. So much so that Agassi, in his autobiography “Open”, called Nick’s training camp a “prison camp”.

The farewell of those who knew him best

Gabriel JaramilloBollettieri’s right arm, he has no doubts: “We have lost a giant. Nick Bollettieri is, without a doubt, ‘The Goat’, the greatest of all time.” So Gabe called it in an emotional farewell letter.

And he left a few sentences that perfectly depict the figure that Bollettieri was. I used to say “It’s What I Say and Point”, shows his arrogant character. However, he had a very special charisma and the players loved him.

‘Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life’, that sentence that seems trivial, applies to what his relationship with tennis was. As long as his health allowed him, he continued to go to the academy, even at the age of 80, spending long hours there and enjoying watching players and players go by.

Finally, it highlights a life of luxury that he has been able to access thanks to tennis. Jaramillo remembers that Bollettieri said it “Whoever ends up with the most toys is the winner.” He liked mansions, luxury cars, sports cars of all makes and prices, boats, small and large, clothes and much more. Not to mention the trips he’s made. He has known the world hand in hand with tennis, which today mourns his loss and hails him as a legend.