Through the hands of the Italian coach passed André Agassi, Pete Sampras, the Williams sisters and Mónica Seles. She was fighting cancer and died at the age of 91.
The world of tennis is in mourning. After long weeks fighting cancer, this Sunday Nick Bollettieri passed away, legend maker as Andre Agassi, Boris Becker, Pete Samprasthe sisters 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 extroverted character. A good example of this is that two weeks ago, when the rumor that he had died spread through social networks, he himself denied it on Instagram by stating that “the old Italian dog” was “alive and kicking”.
The son of Italian immigrants, Bollettieri studied law, graduated with a degree in philosophy and served in the United States Army, but his true passion was sports and, once he discovered it, led dozens of players to the world tennis elite. From his hands came Grand Slam champions and world numbers 1, both at the ATP and WTA level.
It all started in a hotel in Puerto Rico, far from the flashlights of the big circuit, and over time he earned a name in the tennis environment that currently recognizes him as one of the most important coaches in its history. He opened his own Academy in Florida in 1978 and forged great figures such as María Sharapova, Mary Pierce, Jim Courier, Marcelo Ríos and Tommy Haas.
And it was precisely the German who announced the news of his death: “So many memories, I don’t know where to start. Nickiiii, that’s what I’ve called you for a long time. Thank you for your time, knowledge, commitment, 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 were a dreamer, a doer and a pioneer in our truly unique sport. I will surely miss you at the academy, our tennis talks, I will miss your tan, white teeth and body fat. I will miss watching you do Tai Chi, golfing with you watching you try to cheat, eating a Snickers bar and running through the bushes, hearing all about your plans, even at the age of 91,” he added.
“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 historically highlighted his ability to get the best out of each player at the cost of maximum demand. So much so that Agassi, in his autobiography “Open”, referred to Nick’s training camp as a “prison camp”.
The farewell of who knew him best
Gabriel JaramilloBollettieri’s right-hand man, has no doubts: “We have lost a giant. Nick Bollettieri is, without a doubt, ‘The Goat’, the greatest of all time.” This is how Gabe defined it in an emotional farewell letter.
And he left some phrases that perfectly paint the figure that Bollettieri was. he used to say “It’s what I say and period”, shows his arrogant character. Still, 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 phrase that seems hackneyed, applies to what his relationship with tennis was. As long as his health allowed him, he continued to go to the academy, even in his 80s, spending long hours there and enjoying watching players and players go by.
Finally, he highlights a life of luxury that he managed to access thanks to tennis. Jaramillo remembers that Bollettieri said that “The one who ends up with the most toys is the winner.” He enjoyed mansions, luxury cars, sports cars of all brands and prices, boats, small and large, clothes and many more. Not to mention the trips he made. He got to know the world through tennis, which today mourns the loss of him and says goodbye to him as a legend.
