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Spending time with tennis coaching guru Nick Bollettieri was an experience you will never forget.
Larger than life, more colorful than anyone you’ll ever meet and exuding an aura that only comes when you’ve achieved so much, Bollettieri was a tennis original.
Following his death at the age of 91 on Sunday, reflections on his remarkable career, which included famous coaching collaborations with the likes of Andre Agassi and Maria Sharapova, have been pouring in from the greats and greatest in tennis history.
His IMG Academy in Florida was the best place for young players to hone their skills under the unforgiving Bollettieri, who demanded a lot and got more from the students under his watch.
The Love means zero a documentary that tells his story includes some elements that were difficult to watch, with his exacting methods pushing those who want to please him to the breaking point.
Yet the end result was a series of emerging champions that changed tennis forever.
Agassi, Jim Courier, Boris Becker and Tommy Haas were among those who worked with him, along with Sharapova, Monica Seles and the Williams sisters.
“In life, baby, if you never make a mistake, you’ll never reach the top of the mountain,” Bollettieri declares as he explains his methods without a hint of regret.
As reflections on his legacy begin after his death, we can look back at one of his last interviews as he spoke to Tennis365 in collaboration with Slinger Bag in 2021.
Here he outlined how he would like to be remembered in words that suggest he is more than happy with what he has achieved in his extraordinary career.
“My proudest moment is helping kids in my Ashe-Bollettieri program in the city,” he told us, talking about the drive he’s had to take kids from challenging backgrounds onto tennis courts to give them purpose in life.
“These urban programs need help because these kids need places to go or they’re going to get into trouble.
“Also, I’ve made an impact on people’s lives that lasts for generations, dear.
“Not winning titles or winning a million dollars or buying a new car…students tell me you made it possible.
“Look where I am because of you. This is what Nick wants to be remembered for. Helping people continues for generations.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have 10 No. 1s. I’m a lucky person.
“I’ve had a little bit of everything and I’m very proud that my wife and I have four children, five grandchildren and two adopted sons from Ethiopia. That to me is fantastic.”
When we asked Nick about his memories of working with Agassi and Sharapova, it was clear that these two players mean more to him than most.
“Maria is not one to seek all that publicity,” he said of Sharapova. “Maria is an individual, beautiful girl and we will let her record speak for itself.”
“One of the greatest moments for me was Andre winning Wimbledon and in his speech at the Hall of Fame ceremony he said that without Nick Bollettieri I wouldn’t be here today.
“That says it all for me.”
The outpouring of tributes to Bollettieri began with his former player Tommy Haas, who was full of praise for his old mentor in an emotional Instagram post.
“So many memories, I’m not sure where to start. Nickiiiii, that’s what I’ve been calling you for the longest time,” Haas wrote.
“Thank you for your time, knowledge, commitment, experience, willingness to share your skills, 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.”
In many ways, Bollettieri was an innovator in tennis in the way that Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola were in football.
Celebrity coaching talent is something of a modern phenomenon, and after Bollettieri became one of the first in tennis, the likes of Patrick Mouratoglou are now following suit.
Game-changers come along only occasionally in sports, and while Bollettieri never won a tennis match, he had the genius to help others become champions.
That is why he will always be remembered as a tennis great.
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