5 Questions With Nick Bollettieri

Nick Bollettieri has lived the American Dream over and over again--a true rags to riches story. Or, should we say, a true Army paratrooper to tennis coach story.

Nick Bollettieri has changed the way tennis players are developed.  You may not agree with his methods and tactics, but you have to respect the man and what he has accomplished.

 

I didn't realize it, but Nick will be 79 soon.  We'll have to wait until next September to real his tell-all autobiography. He promises tales of Arias and Krickstein, Agassi, Courier, Becker, Seles, and many others.

 

Today, Nick still keeps his hand in everything that goes on at the IMG-Bollettieri Academy in Bradenton, FL.  He's also a highly sought after motivational speaker, runs his foundations, and yet still finds time to get out on the tennis court and do what he loves to do--coach tennis.

 

Nick was in Atlanta this week to run a Kids Day sponsored by his IMG-Bollettieri Academy. About 400 kids and parents turned out to talk to the tennis guru and hear a bit of his wisdom.

 

During his visit to the tournament, The Daily Forehand was able to grab Nick and ask him a few questions:

 

Nick: I still remember back to 1978 when a short 5' kid was dropped off in a VW Bug at what was then my academy. He had this huge loopy forehand and I never tried to change it. He had a big heart and loads of desire that eventually got him to #5 in the world. That was Jimmy Arias. Word of mouth spread about this Italian coaching tennis in Florida, and here we are.

 

Nick Bollettieri: You really have to get to know these kids. Everybody is different and an individual, don't forget that. No two kids are alike.  As a coach you are also an educator. Also, know the parents you are dealing with.

 

Nick Bollettieri: Be a good listener. When I was coaching a young Andre Agassi he had a lot to say. I listened to it all. I didn't agree with it all, but I listened.  When I started coaching Becker, I didn't say anything to him for 3 weeks.  One day Boris turned to me and asked me if I could speak.  I told him when I have something to say, I will say it.  Boris said to me that we are going to get along just fine.

 

Nick Bollettieri: The word is "achievement". Achievement to me is doing something above and beyond what you think you can do. And in order to "achieve", you have to "believe", I love that word as well.

 

Nick Bollettieri: There is nothing prettier than a well hit, one-handed backhand. But with the way the players play today and the technology in the equipment, I'd have to say the two-handed is best for most players.

Thanks again to Nick for answering our questions. He still spends plenty of time at his IMG Academy in Florida and the school there has just added another wing. The name Bollettieri will be remembered in tennis circles for a long time to come.