We love Nick Bollettieri. The founder of the legendary IMG Academy in Florida, Nick is one of the most outspoken and charismatic faces of Tennis and one of the most successful coaches of the last 50 years.

So, we decided to ask him a few questions about coaching.

What Top Tips Do You Have For Coaches?

Nick is in a great position to answer this, having overseen the success of numerous professionals. Remember that each student is an individual and their needs should come first. You need to listen, not just to the student but to the parents, to all those involved. Then you need to remember that winning is the most important thing. Help them improve, give them tips but ‘If they can win’ let it be’.

What Do You Look For In  A Player?

‘A player that knows how to take advantage of the first opportunity’, Tennis is often about taking risks and Nick, well he’s a risk taker and a believer in coming out of your comfort zone. That means creating weapons and trying new things. Nick believes that the standard of Tennis is so high now that you need to do lots of things well, you can’t rely on just one shot that works for you.

What Tips Do You Have For Players?

Understand your own game and be honest with yourself. Could you do more? And of course, you have to be willing to try new things. For Nick, Tennis is a mental game, to be the best, you must believe your the best.

Summary

When you’ve won as much as Nick Bollettieri has, when you’ve had as much success as he has, it’s hard to disagree with – Sometimes, it just takes a little time to yourself, to do what you need to do to become the best you can be.