ZAGREB, Croatia – The tennis world mourns the loss of Nikola Pilić, a Croatian legend who left an indelible mark on the 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 last Monday, marking the end of an era for world tennis.
An Illustrious Career
Pilić, remembered for his skill on the court, was the individual runner-up at the French Open in 1973. His influence transcended his individual performance, as he was the trigger for the Wimbledon boycott that same year.
The tennis player was accused by the Yugoslav authorities of refusing to participate in a Davis Cup match against New Zealand. Although Pilić denied the accusations, he was suspended. The International Lawn Tennis Federation (currently ITF) supported the decision and reduced his suspension to one month, which included Wimbledon.
This fact caused 12 of the 16 seeded players and a total of 81 players to boycott Wimbledon, thanks to the support of the new Association of Tennis Professionals.
Pilić was already an established star when tennis turned professional in 1968. He was one of the first eight male players to be signed by Lamar Hunt, an American businessman who backed the new professional circuit called World Championship Tennis. Along with figures like John Newcombe and Tony Roche, Pilić was part of the “Handsome Eight”.
Throughout his career, Pilić won nine individual titles and reached number 6 in the world ranking. He lost the French Open final against Ilie Nastase. In doubles, he won six titles, including the 1970 US Open alongside Pierre Barthes, defeating Newcombe and Rod Laver in a four-set final.
Legacy as a Coach
After retiring as a player in 1978, Pilić dedicated himself to coaching, achieving notable success as a non-playing captain in the Davis Cup. He led Germany, with Boris Becker, to victory in 1988, 1989, and 1993. He also led Croatia to glory in 2005, and Serbia in 2010.
His academy, located near Munich, was a hotbed of talent, where future stars like Michael Stich, Goran Ivanisevic, and Novak Djokovic, who considered him his mentor, trained.
