Nikola Pilić, Croatian Tennis Legend, Passes Away
ZAGREB, Croatia – The tennis world mourns the loss of Nikola Pilić, an emblematic figure who left an indelible mark on the history of this 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, which reported the death of Pilic last Monday.
Pilić, in addition to his outstanding career as a player, was an influential coach. His legacy includes having guided figures like Novak Djokovic in his academy.
His career as a professional tennis player was marked by important achievements. He was a finalist at the Roland Garros in 1973 and a key figure in the Wimbledon boycott that same year.
In 1968, with the professionalization of tennis, Pilić was already an established star. He was one of the first eight players to be signed for the World Championship Tennis, a new professional tour promoted by the American businessman Lamar Hunt.
Pilić won nine singles titles and reached sixth place in the world ranking. In doubles, he won six titles, including the 1970 US Open with Pierre Barthes.
After retiring as a player in 1978, Pilić dedicated himself to coaching, achieving notable successes in the Davis Cup as a non-playing captain. He led Germany, with Boris Becker, to victory in 1988, 1989, and 1993; Croatia in 2005; and Serbia in 2010.
In his academy, located near Munich, he trained future stars such as Michael Stich, Goran Ivanisevic, and Djokovic, who considered him his mentor.
