by croatiaweek
September 23, 2025
in
Croatia and the tennis world are mourning the loss of Nikola Pilić, who has passed away in Rijeka at the age of 86, HRT has reported.
Widely regarded as a trailblazer both on and off the court, Pilić leaves behind a legacy that shaped modern tennis and inspired generations of players.
Born in Split in 1936, Pilić rose to prominence as a player in the 1960s and 70s.
He reached the Wimbledon semi-final in 1967, famously defeating Australian great Roy Emerson, before becoming one of the “Handsome Eight” – the group of players who helped usher in the professional era of tennis when they signed with Lamar Hunt’s newly formed World Championship Tennis circuit in 1968.
His greatest success on court came in 1970 when he defeated tennis icons John Newcombe and Rod Laver to win the Bristol Open.
That same year, he partnered with Frenchman Pierre Barthès to capture the US Open men’s doubles title. Pilić’s finest singles achievement came in 1973 when he reached the French Open final, losing to Ilie Năstase.
Nikola Pilić (Photo: Verhoeff, Bert / Anefo/Dutch National Archives/CC BY-SA 3.0 NL)
Beyond his playing career, Pilić’s influence was even greater as a coach and leader. He guided Croatia to its first Davis Cup triumph in 2005 and remains unique in world tennis for leading three different nations to Davis Cup glory: West Germany, Croatia and Serbia.
He was instrumental in the early development of Novak Đoković, playing a key role in his rise to the very top of the sport.
Pilić also helped lay the foundations for the modern ATP, driving changes that professionalised tennis and ensured better conditions for players worldwide.
Remembered as both a fierce competitor and a visionary leader, Nikola Pilić’s passing marks the end of an era for tennis. His impact on the sport – in Croatia, Europe and beyond – will endure for generations.
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