Bollettieri still passing along knowledge
NEW HAVEN — He has been producing excellence at his craft for 60 years. And at age 87, Nick Bollettieri is exactly where he wants to be on a Monday afternoon. A tennis court. More specifically, the IMG Academy Tennis Court at the 2018 Connecticut Open Tournament.
His audience at this moment are two boys and a girl between eight and 10 years old along with their parents, who have their iPhones recording this historic interaction.
The kids are at different tennis talent levels. But it is just another day with Tennis’ Generation Next for Bollettieri, who began the tennis portion of the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. 40 years ago.
With the help of a few volleys from IMG Tennis coaches Paul Forsyth and Patrick Frandji, as well as Nick’s business partner Steve Shulla, Bollettieri steps in with a few softspoken tips and just one lighthearted threat of pun- ishment laps around the court.
The results are smiles, soaring confidence and successful swings of the racquets.
“Normally, that’s a $900 tennis lesson,” Bollettieri said to the parents with a laugh.
Bollettieri’s and IMG’s reputation has been made on professional tennis players like 2017 French Open Girls Singles Champion Whitney Osuigwe, who lost late in last weekend’s Connecticut Open qualifying bracket. And Danielle Collins, the last American to lose in Monday’s first round of the Singles Main Draw.
However, Bollettieri is focused on a new tennis quest these days.
“IMG (now teaching eight sports on a 500-acre campus) will always be my top priority. But I’m spending more time giving free clinics at the 500 inner-city tennis programs the USTA is helping to establish across America,” Bollettieri said. “My legacy is helping people. While at the clinics I’ll be seeking out new tennis talent across the country. And the players who have the most potential can come to IMG Tennis Academy on scholarships provided by the USTA.”
That is a significant investment considering a year’s tuition for tennis players at IMG Academy runs between $56,000 and $80,000.
The Pelham, N.Y.-born Bollettieri kindled his passion for success during his time in the military. He was a Lieutenant and a master parachuter.
“Being Master Parachuter meant we made the most parachute jumps. And we packed a lot of parachutes. And we were the first jumpers out of the plane. There were times I was nervous as hell, but couldn’t say anything,” Bollettieri recounted. “The parachute corps was volunteer. It was filled with people who wanted to be the best. I learned when you put the best together they push each other to greater success.”
Bollettieri remains a lion who wants to win and succeed today.
He leaves his sizable 60-year tennis legacy to his business side. To the videos featuring the precepts of his coaching clinics; To his collection of more than 10 books; To the documentary “Love Means Zero” released last June examining the idea of “How Far Would You Go to Be The Best?” in tennis.
Coming in December will be Bollettieri’s latest book “A Coach’s Journey,” which examines his 60 years in tennis.
“I wrote every word in the book with these bony hands,” Bollettieri quipped.
But on this Monday, Bollettieri left some of his tennis magic with 9-yearold Katherine Zhang of Old Lyme.
“I learned about the open racquet drop shot. He improved my backhand as well,” said Zhang, who has played tennis since age 5. “This was such fun.”
Bollettieri’s evening clinic turned into the opportunity of a lifetime for the kids of First Serve of Bridgeport. Members of the tennis program, in its third year under the direction of Bridgeport Central boys tennis coach Andy McConnell, spent over an hour enjoying the sport with a living legend.
An experience they will never forget.