Nikola Pilić, Croatian Tennis Legend and Djokovic’s Mentor, Passes Away
ZAGREB, Croatia – The tennis world mourns the loss of Nikola Pilić, an emblematic figure in Croatian sport. Pilić, recognized for being the first captain to lead three countries to glory in the Davis Cup, passed away at the age of 86.
The news was confirmed by the Croatian Tennis Association, marking the end of an era for world tennis.
Pilić left an indelible mark on tennis, not only for his achievements as a player, but also for his outstanding work as a coach and mentor to great stars.
His legacy includes a runner-up finish in the French Open singles in 1973, and his crucial role in the Wimbledon boycott of that same year.
The International Lawn Tennis Federation (ITF) backed the Yugoslav decision, but reduced its suspension to one month, which included Wimbledon.
Due to the support of the new Association of Tennis Professionals, 12 of the 16 seeded players and a total of 81 players boycotted Wimbledon.
Pilić was already a star when tennis became fully professional in 1968. When the American businessman Lamar Hunt backed a new professional tour called World Championship Tennis, players like Pilić, John Newcombe, and Tony Roche were the first eight men signed, called the Handsome Eight.
During his playing career, Pilić won nine individual titles and reached sixth place in the world ranking. In doubles, he obtained six titles, including the 1970 US Open, alongside Pierre Barthes.
After his retirement as a player in 1978, Pilić dedicated himself to technical direction, achieving notable successes. As a non-playing captain, he led Germany, with Boris Becker at the helm, to victory in the Davis Cup in 1988, 1989 and 1993. He also led Croatia (2005) and Serbia (2010) to glory in the same competition.
Pilić’s academy, located near Munich, was a hotbed of talent, where figures like Michael Stich, Goran Ivanisevic, and Novak Djokovic, who considered him his mentor, honed their skills.
