Tennis Hall of Famer Nick Bollettieri Honored at SRQ

Tennis Hall of Famer Nick Bollettieri was honored with a memorial tribute display on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at SRQ. Over 100 friends, family, former students, coaches, and industry leaders were in attendance. Prominently displayed on the first floor near baggage claim, it presents a timeline and memorabilia of Bollettieri’s life and accomplishments and is the inspiration of long time Bollettieri friends and associates Bill Rompf, Steve Shulla, and Judge (Retired) Robert Farrance.

Nick Bollettieri is considered by the world of tennis as the greatest tennis coach of all time.  His coaching record includes training eleven, #1 world ranked players including Andre Agassi, Monica Seles, Maria Sharapova, Serena and Venus Williams, and many other top professional and collegiate players.  

Bollettieri is the pioneer and founder of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, the world’s largest and most prestigious sports training facility in the world.  His impact on the Sarasota/Bradenton area is considered as great as that of John Ringling and Anthoney Rossi in terms of worldwide recognition, and economic and cultural impact to the Sarasota and Bradenton communities.

Designed by Julie Kanapaux, the memorial display is a tribute not only to Bollettieri’s many achievements in the game of tennis, but also to the tens of thousands of young players that he helped (many times on his own dollar) to reach their dreams both on and off the tennis court. Bollettieri did not believe in the word “no”, always teaching others that hard work and believing in yourself were the keys to a successful life.

The dedication ceremony was followed by a reception.  Speakers included Bill Rompf, Bill Galvano (former President of the Florida Senate), Judge (Retired) Bob Farrance, Rick Piccolo (CEO of the SRQ Airport), Tommy Hass (one of Bollettieri’s professional players who achieved a world ranking of #2 and is now the Tournament Director of the BNP Paribas at Indian Wells), and James “Jimmy Boy” Bollettieri, Nick’s oldest son.  Ray Collins was the event emcee.

Other attendees included former world champions, and Bollettieri students Brian Gottfried, Anne White and Kathlyn Horvath. The Bollettieri family included Bollettieri’s wife Cindi and their two sons Gio and Giacomo; daughters Danielle (and her daughter Addie Skye), Nicole (with husband Brad and sons Hudson and Jameson), and Alex. Industry leaders in attendance included representatives from the USTA, PTR, and the USPTA.