Legendary coach and Davis Cup-winning captain mentored stars including Djokovic, Ivanisevic, and Becker
Nikola Pilic, a Croatian tennis legend and influential mentor to Novak Djokovic, passed away at the age of 87, the Croatian Tennis Association confirmed on Tuesday. He died in Opatija, a town in western Croatia, on Monday.
Described as “one of the greatest players and coaches Croatian tennis has ever had,” Pilic leaves behind a rich legacy as both a player and a coach, and is widely credited with shaping the careers of several tennis greats.
A Trailblazer on the Court
Pilic began his tennis journey in Split in 1953, and by 1957, he was representing the Yugoslav youth national team. His career highlights include:
- 5-time Yugoslav Singles Champion: 1962, 1963, 1964, 1966, and 1967
- 7-time Yugoslav Doubles Champion
- French Open Finalist (1973) – lost to Ilie Nastase
- US Open Doubles Champion (1970) – with Pierre Barthes
Master Coach to Tennis Legends
After retiring, Pilic transitioned into coaching and became a revered figure in international tennis. He coached some of the biggest names in the sport:
- Goran Ivanisevic
- Boris Becker
- Michael Stich
- Novak Djokovic
In fact, Djokovic often referred to Pilic as his “tennis dad.” In 1999, Djokovic’s first coach, Jelena Genčić, sent him to Pilic’s tennis academy in Munich, where the Serbian star polished his foundational skills.
Historic Davis Cup Record
Nikola Pilic holds a unique place in tennis history as the only person to captain three different countries to Davis Cup titles:
- Germany: 1988, 1989, 1993
- Croatia: 2005
- Serbia: 2010
His strategic leadership and ability to unite teams played a crucial role in each nation’s triumph.
Recognition and Legacy
- 2019: Honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Croatian Tennis Association
- 2020: Awarded the Gold Medal of Merit by Serbia for his contribution to sport
Final Goodbye
As tributes pour in from across the tennis world, Nikola Pilic is being remembered not just for his accolades, but for his deep impact on the careers of champions and his unmatched influence as a mentor and motivator.
His legacy will live on through the players he coached, the nations he led to victory, and the generations of tennis stars who looked up to him.
