Nick is often asked all sorts of questions, read the questions he is most asked about…

Champions

Q: Are champions made or are they born?

A: Creating champions involves a combination of factors, both internal and external. We are all born with certain traits; physical, intellectual, psychological, and emotional. In the tennis world, as with life in general, those who tend to achieve a higher rate of success are those individuals who find avenues (external) which positively nurture and strengthen the particular gifts and traits they are born with (internal). As difficult as it is for me to watch parents who try to “force” th ...Read More

College vs. Pro

Q: How should a player decide whether to go to college or to turn pro?

A: Tournament results are usually the best determinant in deciding whether a player should go to college or to turn pro. Years ago, I would have encouraged my players to turn pro if that’s what they wanted to do. Today, with the shrinking sponsorship money available and the intensity of the game resulting in more career-threatening injuries, I strongly encourage 99% of the students who train at my Academy to go to college and further their education while they continue to play. During the su ...Read More

Age to Start Tennis

Q: At what age should children start playing tennis?

A: With few exceptions, I believe children under the age of 7 or 8 should concentrate on developing their hand/eye coordination through activities like playing catch, kicking a soccer ball or martial arts. Once they have mastered the art of control, let them play fun games with a tennis racquet. Formal coaching is a good way to make sure young players learn the fundamentals of the game. The most important thing is that the kids view tennis as fun! ...Read More

Personal

Q: Do you play tennis?

A: Not very often. I like playing doubles with my good friends the Nelsons, but only get the opportunity one week a year. ...Read More

Q: What do you like to do when you are off the court?

A: Saturday afternoons and all day Sunday is the time I get to “play”. My favorite thing to do is spend time with family and friends. I also like to golf, body surf, bike, and snow ski. If I do have to sit quietly, then I like to watch “ESPN”, or my favorite show, “Law and Order”. ...Read More

Q: What do you not like to do?

A: I’m not a reader…I’m more of a skimmer. I really like to do things that are active…I get bored very easy! ...Read More

Q: How do you stay healthy?

A: I was blessed with good genes. Plus I have never smoked nor tried an illegal drug in my life. I work out 6 days a week and for me exercise of any kind is fun. I have never paid any attention to my chronological age…I just keep on doing the things I love to do! ...Read More

Q: What’s your favorite color?

A: Blue. ...Read More

Q: What’s your favorite number?

A: Four. ...Read More

Q: How many children to you have?

A: I have one terrific son, four beautiful daughters, and two absolutely adorable grand-daughters. ...Read More

Q: Do you have any animals?

A: Yes, a handsome cat named, “Oliver”, who sleeps with us every night. ...Read More

The Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy

Q: How did you get the idea to start a tennis academy?

A: While attending law school in Miami, I needed to earn some extra money. My uncle was the Assistant Water Commissioner for the City of North Miami Beach and got me a job coaching tennis at Victory Park in North Miami Beach, Florida. At that time, I knew very little about the game of tennis, but I soon realized that I really enjoyed teaching young people. I left law school after just one year and I made it my goal to be the best tennis coach in the world! I stayed in North Miami Beach fo ...Read More

Q: What is a typical day like for the students there?

: Short-time students start their day with breakfast in our junior cafeteria and then spend the remainder of the morning on court and in the gym working on drills, techniques, strength and conditioning. After lunch they head back on-court for match play and strategy sessions followed by a mental conditioning session. During the evening they can enjoy dinner on campus and participate in special activities. Our full-time students spend half their day dedicated to their sport and half the d ...Read More

Professional Players

Q: Who is the best men’s player on tour?

A: Roger Federer is probably the best player that has ever played the game. It is very difficult for other players to find his Achilles heel…he’s really the complete package physically, psychologically, intellectually, and socially. Roger wins even when he’s having an “off-day”. ...Read More

Q: Who is the best women’s player on tour?

A: At this time, the Ladies Tour does not have one player that dominates play all the time. Some of the best players on the tour right now include; Kim Clijsters, Amelie Mauresmo, Lindsay Davenport, Mary Pierce, Maria Sharapova, and Justine Henin-Hardenne. When they are in top physical shape, no one can beat the Williams sisters…they were the two who raised the standards of physical fitness among present and future female athletes. ...Read More

Q: Who is the best men’s player of all time?

A: Roger Federer and Pete Sampras. To date, Roger has not won as many grand slams as Pete, but in my mind no one has the complete game that Federer has! ...Read More

Q: Who is the best women’s player of all time?

A: Steffi Graf, an amazingly-gifted player, and a really nice person, too. (Many say Monica Seles could have surpassed the records of all tennis players, had her career not been cut short due to the terrible on-court stabbing the occurred at the height of her career.) ...Read More

Training

Q: What are some resources (books, videos, products, etc.) that you recommend?

A: o Nick Bollettieri “Classic Tennis Handbook” o “Killer Forehand” Video, by Nick Bollettieri o The Tennis Channel o “How To Win Playing Ugly” by Brad Gilbert ...Read More

Q: How long does it take for you to recognize true talent?

A: Believe it or not…just a few minutes. One of the gifts I have been blessed with is the ability to read and assess a player’s body language, athletic ability, and intelligence. From all the information I gather I can then determine, with unusually high accuracy, the potential of the individual to become a champion tennis player. ...Read More

Q: What specific training program do you recommend for tennis players?

A: Years ago tennis was all about just hitting the ball hard and placing it well. In order to be a serious competitor, tennis players today must train as hard off the court as they do on. Our students and professional athletes at the Academy spend hours working with personal trainers, nutritionalists, and mental conditioning coaches. Areas they continually work on to improve include their flexibility and movement, as well as thinking like a champion. At the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy w ...Read More

Q: What is the most difficult thing you have to deal with as a coach?

A: Parents. Over the years I have seen a few parents who have successfully juggled being both their child’s coach, as well as their parent. Unfortunately, this is not usually the case. Just as not every coach has what it takes to be a great parent, not every parent is capable of being a great coach. In the ideal world, parents bring their children to me with the following characteristics already in place; a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, and great social skills. The dream pare ...Read More