Novak Djokovic’s former coach, Nicola Pilic, is the only person to play the glory of three different Davis Cup countries, who died at 86. Pilic, known for his game and coaching, is a man from Croatia. In 1973, he ranked 12th in career-high at Roland-Garros and played his only Grand Slam final in Roland-Garros.
He was a member of the “Handsome Eight”, a first organized tennis tour in the sixties and was crucial in establishing the WCT as the first organized tennis tour.
Months after this achievement, the Yugoslav Tennis Federation was banned from Wimbledon when he suspended his Davis Cup match against New Zealand in Zagreb, Croatia.
Although Pilic’s ban was reduced, the ban led to ATP’s boycott of Wimbledon that year.
The ATP protested and spent a week holding an 11-hour meeting in Wimbledon, even brought Pilic’s case to the British High Court, demanding a ban on the injunction.
“It’s the whole puzzle puzzle with different interests in the sport,” remembers Cliff Drysdale, who led the negotiations. “We think we have to have a say. We can’t just puppets at the expense of all other interests in tennis.”
After completing the game in 1978, his game time transitioned to coaching. He led Germany to three Davis Cup titles in 1988, 1989 and 1993, then led Croatia to the championship in 2005 and Serbia in 2010.
His partnership and coaching for 24-time Grand Slam titles only cemented his already glittering legacy. When the Serbian was only 12 years old, Jelena Gencic brought Djokovic to Pilic’s Academy.
Djokovic called Pilic a mentor and called him his “tennis father.”
“He influenced me in many ways,” Djokovic once said. “From many perspectives and perspectives. Not only as a coach, but a man who fights for the rights of the players and always stands up and corrects injustice. He has really inspired me in many ways and I think we should analyze his role and work more thoroughly and deeply. The achievements he has made in life, as a tennis player, coach and a dynamicist, are incredible.”
Monica Seles called Pilic “a legend whose incredible talent and sportsmanship inspired my father and I. His contribution to the sport will never be forgotten.”
Djokovic responded to the news on Instagram.
“Your influence on my development as a person and on tennis players remains indelible. I will always express my gratitude to you and your amazing wife Mia, because I accepted me as your own son when I was 12 years old.” “Your legacy will last for a long time and generations will look back on your role and behavior with deep admiration.”
Pilic ran a college and also saw Goran Ivanisevic, Michael Stich, Ernests Gulbis and Anastasija Sevastova fine-tune their skills.
His contributions were awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in Croatia in 2019 and won the Gold Medal in Serbia in 2020.
