Heart-Melting Tributes Pour in After Veteran American Coach’s Death as Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, and Maria Sharapova Honor His Legacy -’ No One Told a Story Like You’

On December 4, 2022, Nick Bollettieri, the legendary American tennis coach, passed away. Many rumors of his declining health were circulating in recent weeks. The New Yorker has coached some of the biggest names in tennis, such as Andre Agassi, Maria Sharapova, Monica Seles, and Anna Kournikova, among others. After the news of his death broke, his former students and other legendary tennis players poured their heartfelt condolences on Twitter.

In 1978, the 91-year-old coach founded his eponymous academy for the first time for tennis players. His academy in Bradenton, Florida, housed and trained his students full-time. For more than 60 years, Bollettieri coached elite tennis players. Along with legendary former and current player, fans were also sad to see the legendary coach pass away.

Maria Sharapova, Chris Evert, and other tennis players share their tribute for the American veteran

Bollettieri had changed the face of tennis coaching with his Florida academy. He established the IMG Academy in 1977, which was earlier known as the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy. Due to the players’ success under his tutelage, he was one of the most in-demand instructors in tennis. The IMG Academy informed CNN that Bollettieri had passed away in a statement. Maria Sharapova, the former Russian tennis player who spent her formative years under the watchful eye of the late coach, shared her condolences on Twitter.

 

Sharapova shared, “The impact that Nick Bollettieri had on me and my family and so many of my close ones was immense. He would always make the greatest effort, and it wasn’t because I was a good tennis player. It was because he really cared about these individuals…“ Some of the most famous tennis players had sharpened their skills at his innovative academy. It was the first significant tennis boarding school.

The Academy currently has expanded into additional male and female sports, such as baseball, football, and soccer. Chris Evert, the legendary Hall of Famer, revealed that, aside from being the greatest coach of all time, he was always kind to her. The kindness had meant more to her and her family than anything else. She also mentioned that he had a big heart and an ecstatic zest for life.

In 2014, he became just the fourth coach to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Fans and renowned former players, such as Martina Navratilova, were deeply saddened by his death. The Czech-American former professional player shared her memories with the coach with all of her followers.

The former coach to legendary Williams sisters, Patrick Mouratoglou, tweeted, ” ..lost someone very important today, someone, who has made our industry grow and has opened opportunities for coaches and players.” 

Mouratoglou was deeply saddened and further added, “We will remember the very special human being you were and will miss you.”

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Rennae Stubbs, a well-known Australian tennis coach, tweeted her emotional message. According to the former professional player, Bollettieri’s influence has changed the tennis world. She is going to miss him and his enthusiasm for the sport.

Stubbs tweeted, “No one loved it more! 💔💔💔  and no one told a story like you coach!” The year 2022 has been hard for tennis enthusiasts. This year saw the retirement of many legendary tennis players and the demise of many influential tennis coaches.

Bollettieri once collapsed on the court during a tennis lesson

Nick Bollettieri collapsed during a tennis lesson in the middle of May 2020. Medical personnel quickly hurried him to the hospital. During a practice session at his academy in Florida, Bollettieri fainted on the court. The distinguished American coach was suffering from a kidney infection at the time.

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The coach was released from the hospital after spending two nights there. The former American coach was back home a few days later, but news of Bollettieri’s hospitalization quickly traveled around the globe, and the response was overwhelmingly positive on social media. It was the first time he had visited a doctor in 14 years. Bollettieri said he couldn’t believe he had received more than 250 calls from players and students who were concerned about his health.

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