Renowned tennis coach Nick Bollettieri died on Sunday night at the age of 91.

The Italian-American has been behind some of the biggest names in world tennis, working with Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Monica Seles, the Williams sisters and Maria Sharapova over time.

Nick Bollettieri died at the age of 91

Of all his students, Tommy Haas was probably the closest to him in recent years, and his message was truly moving.

“So many memories, I don’t know where to start. Nicky, that’s what I’ve been telling you most of the time…thanks for being there for me, for teaching me, for your dedication to sharing your knowledge.

You have been a true mentor, you have given me the best opportunities to follow my dreams. You were also a dreamer, a pioneer in our world.

I’ll miss your presence at the Academy, our tennis talks, I’ll miss you doing Tai Chi, I’ll miss playing golf with you and you trying to cheat.

I will miss watching you eat snickers and hearing all your plans, even at 91.

Thank you for everything….

Rest in peace, Nicky!” – he wrote.

Although he was a great tennis coach, Nick Bollettieri did not excel in the sport and as a player, only playing tennis in high school.

His coaching career began at the Dorado Beach Hotel in Puerto Rico in the 1960s. After more than 10 years (in 1978), Nick was very confident in his ability to guide players to performance and risked everything by opening his own tennis academy in Florida.

Until then, tennis players in the United States did not have such a place where they could live, study, and at the same time learn to improve their tennis game.

Less than ten years after its launch, his academy proved to be a real success, so the American sold it to IMG. However, Nick Bollettieri continued to be a part of the project, helping players progress.

Nick stood out especially in the tactical and mental section, so the aforementioned great tennis players often saw him as a guarantee of success.

In addition to his famous coaching career, Bollettieri also wrote a book detailing various technical aspects of the game.

He faced several health problems, and age could not be neglected either.

About a week ago, Bollettieri’s daughter, Angelique Ann Bollettieri, announced on Facebook that her father was dying.

“Dad almost left us. Please keep him in your thoughts for a peaceful departure and a wonderful trip. We love you, Dad.”