Tennis legend Andre Agassi paid a heartfelt tribute to Nick Bollettieri as he hailed the legendary tennis coach for “giving so many a chance to live their dream.” On Monday, the IMG Academy confirmed that iconic tennis coach Bollettieri passed away at the age of 91.
Agassi, who worked with Bollettieri between 1983 and 1993, will always have nothing but love and appreciation for his former coach. “Our dear friend, Nick Bollettieri, graduated from us last night. He gave so many a chance to live their dream.
He showed us all how life can be lived to the fullest. Thank you, Nick,” Agassi wrote on Twitter.
Our dear friend, Nick Bollettieri, graduated from us last night. He gave so many a chance to live their dream. He showed us all how life can be lived to the fullest…
Thank you, Nick ?? pic.twitter.com/PhO36oPWpI — Andre Agassi (@AndreAgassi) December 5, 2022
Agassi called Bollettieri on Thanksgiving
On Thanksgiving, Agassi was on the call with Bollettieri.
Agassi’s kind gesture moved the legendary tennis coach to tears. “My Thanksgiving was made as I learned that my buddy @NickBollettieri, tennis guru who needs all our prayers was moved to tears as he had a warm caring phone call from one of his all time fav talents Andre Agassi today,” ESPN analyst Dick Vitale wrote on Twitter 10 days ago.
Bollettieri coached numerous players that later became all-time greats. During his astonishing coaching career, Bollettieri worked with the likes of Agassi, Pete Sampras, Jim Courier, Maria Sharapova, Monica Seles, etc. “Anyone who knew Nick knows how much he loved developing the potential in young people, coaching tennis and this Academy.
Even in his last days, you could often find him on campus, coaching and mentoring young student-athletes and staff with the same passion and enthusiasm as he did in his 20s. Our heart goes out to his wife, Cindi, and his children.
He has made a permanent and lasting impact on all of us,” Tim Pernetti, the President of IMG Academy Bradenton said. In one of his last-ever interviews given to tennis media, Bollettieri admitted that guiding Agassi to winning the 1992 Wimbledon title was pretty special.
