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BELGRADE, Sept 23, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Croatian tennis legend Nikola Pilic, who 
captained multiple Davis Cup-winning sides and was an early mentor to Novak 
Djokovic, has died at the age of 87, the country's tennis association 
announced on Tuesday.

"One of the greatest players and coaches Croatian tennis has ever had," died 
on Monday in the western Croatian town of Opatija, the association reported 
in a statement.

Pilic began his career in Split in 1953 and, just four years later, was 
representing the Yugoslav youth national team.

He went on to win the Yugoslav Championship five times in singles (1962, 
1963, 1964, 1966 and 1967), seven times in doubles and once in mixed doubles.

Pilic's greatest individual achievement came in 1973, when he reached the 
final of the French Open, falling to Ilie Nastase.

He won the US Open doubles title with Pierre Barthes three years earlier.

After retiring, Pilic enjoyed a distinguished coaching career, working with 
stars such as Goran Ivanisevic, Michael Stich and Boris Becker.

He had a profound influence on 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic, who 
referred to him as his "tennis dad".

In 1999, Djokovic's first coach, Jelena Gencic, sent her protege to train at 
Pilic's academy in Munich, where he further developed his game.

"Nikola Niki Pilic will be remembered as the only captain ever to lead three 
different nations to Davis Cup titles," the Croatian Tennis Association said.

He guided Germany to victory in 1988, 1989 and 1993, Croatia in 2005, and 
Serbia in 2010.

The Croatian Tennis Association honoured him with a Lifetime Achievement 
Award in 2019, while in 2020, Serbia awarded him the Gold Medal of Merit for 
his outstanding contribution to sport.