14.10.2025 19:11
Legendary Tennis Mentor Nikola Pilic Passes Away at 87
Updated on: Sept 23, 2025 06:58 pm IST
Croatian tennis legend Nikola Pilic, an early mentor to Novak Djokovic, dies at 87
Croatian tennis legend Nikola Pilic, known for captaining multiple Davis Cup-winning teams and mentoring Novak Djokovic, passed away at 87, announced the country’s tennis association on Tuesday.
“One of the greatest players and coaches Croatian tennis has ever had,” passed away on Monday in Opatija, per the association’s statement.
Pilic started his career in Split in 1953 and soon represented the Yugoslav youth national team four years later.
He clinched the Yugoslav Championship singles title five times (1962, 1963, 1964, 1966, and 1967), along with seven doubles and one mixed doubles victories.
His notable achievement was reaching the final of the French Open in 1973, where he was runner-up to Ilie Nastase.
In 1970, he captured the US Open doubles title teaming with Pierre Barthes.
Post-retirement, Pilic coached stars like Goran Ivanisevic, Michael Stich, and Boris Becker, leaving a significant mark on their careers.
He played a pivotal role in shaping 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic’s career, whom Djokovic regarded as his “tennis dad”.
In 1999, Djokovic’s inaugural coach, Jelena Gencic, recommended he train at Pilic’s Munich academy, where he honed his skills.
The Croatian Tennis Association noted him as the sole captain to lead three different nations to Davis Cup triumphs, achieving victories with Germany in 1988, 1989, and 1993, Croatia in 2005, and Serbia in 2010.
In 2019, the Croatian Tennis Association awarded him a Lifetime Achievement Award, while in 2020, Serbia presented him the Gold Medal of Merit for his remarkable sports contribution.
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