Nicholas Bollettieri American tennis coach Date of Birth: 31.07.1931 Country: USA

1. American tennis coach, Nicholas James Bollettieri
2. Early Life and Career
3. Establishing the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy
4. Recognition and Later Career

American tennis coach, Nicholas James Bollettieri

Nicholas James Bollettieri is an American tennis coach known for creating a whole series of world-class athletes. He has trained top players such as Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Monica Seles, and Mary Pierce. Bollettieri has also worked with experienced athletes like Maria Sharapova, Jelena Janković, Nicole Vaidišová, Sabine Lisicki, Tommy Haas, Max Mirnyi, Xavier Malisse, Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Martina Hingis, Anna Kournikova, Marcelo Ríos, and Boris Becker.

Early Life and Career

Nicholas Bollettieri attended Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama, where he earned a degree in philosophy. After completing college, he served in the United States Army, rising to the rank of lieutenant. Although he aspired to become a lawyer and attended the University of Miami Law School, Bollettieri ultimately found his passion for tennis and became a sports coach in 1956.

Establishing the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy

Bollettieri quickly gained a reputation for his coaching skills and attracted talented students such as Sheryl Smith and Brian Gottfried. He also worked at the Wayland Academy tennis camp in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. In the early 1970s, Bollettieri taught tennis at the Dorado Beach hotel in Puerto Rico. Julio Moros, who later joined Bollettieri's academy in Bradenton, also worked under his guidance during this time.

In 1977, Bollettieri moved to Longboat Key, Florida, where he worked as an instructor at a local resort. However, he had bigger ambitions and, in 1978, he opened the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida. This academy became the first major tennis school in the United States and revolutionized tennis teaching methods worldwide. In 1987, the International Management Group purchased the academy, acknowledging its innovative teaching methods. Bollettieri continues to play a crucial role in the academy's operations and the development of its educational programs.

Recognition and Later Career

On May 18, 2008, Nicholas Bollettieri received an honorary doctorate degree from the New York College of Health Professions in recognition of his contributions to the development of sports, fitness, and wellness. He had previously given a speech at the college's opening ceremony. Bollettieri continues to teach and give lectures, and his talents are sought after worldwide. He also edits the popular magazine "Tennis Magazine" and has written a successful autobiography titled "My Aces, My Faults."

In April 2004, Bollettieri married Cindi Eaton. That same year, they co-founded the non-profit sports camp "Camp Kaizen" in Vermont. The camp provides five-week sports courses for girls aged 9 to 14 who struggle with weight issues.