Charismatic tennis coach Nick Bollettieri – who guided the likes of Andre Agassi, Maria Sharapova, Monica Seles and Boris Becker in his long career – has died at the age of 91.
The American, born in New York to Italian parents, began coaching in the 1950s and, after dropping out of law school to focus on the sport, pioneered the concept of a live-in academy which opened in Brandenton, Florida, in 1978.
Agassi, who was sent there by his father Mike, was told: ‘You’ve got to eat, sleep, and drink tennis.’
The Williams sisters also benefited from Bollettieri’s help, while many academies have followed his blueprint.
Former world No.2 Tommy Haas, another Bollettieri pupil and now tournament director in Indian Wells, wrote on Instagram: ‘So many memories, I am not sure where to begin. Thank you for your time, knowledge, commitment, expertise. You were a dreamer and a doer, and a pioneer in our sport, truly one of a kind.’
Chris Evert, the American 18-time major winner, wrote on Twitter: ‘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.’
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