Tennis world farewells Niki Pilic | ATP Tour

ATP Tour

Tennis world farewells Niki Pilic

Former Roland Garros finalist was set off for 1973 Wimbledon boycott

September 23, 2025

Nikola Pilic, who has handed away immediately in Rijeka aged 86, left an indelible mark on the tennis world as a participant, coach, captain and match director.

Such is Pilic’s legacy that there will likely be these immediately who bear in mind the excessive level of his enjoying profession as a 1973 Roland Garros finalist, at a time when Pilic discovered himself into the center of a sporting and political storm ensuing within the Wimbledon boycott, one month later.

Or the cherished reminiscences as a Davis Cup successful captain for Germany, Croatia and Serbia; his position as a long-time Event Director and reformer, which has helped future generations, or as a mentor and coach to the likes of Boris Becker, Michael Stich, Goran Ivanisevic, and his affect within the growth of a younger Novak Djokovic, now a 24-time Grand Slam champion.

ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi mentioned: “We’re deeply saddened by the passing of Niki Pilic, a real pioneer of our sport. His contributions throughout many roles left an enduring influence on gamers, followers and the sport itself, and maintain specific significance within the historical past of the ATP. He will likely be vastly missed. On behalf of the ATP, we lengthen our heartfelt condolences to his household and family members.”

Nikola Pilic at Wimbledon in 1970.” model=”width:100%;” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media/photos/information/2025/09/23/16/19/pilic-wimbledon-1970.jpg”>
^{Nikola Pilic at Wimbledon in 1970. Credit score: Ed Lacey/Popperfoto through Getty Photos}

Pilic achieved a lot throughout eight a long time. It wasn’t till Pilic was 13 years outdated, in the summertime of 1952, that he began to play tennis: first on the Firule membership, then between his research in shipbuilding and later authorities administration. Inside 4 years, he represented Yugoslavia’s junior staff and claimed 5 nationwide singles and 7 doubles titles with a giant serve and forehand that grew to become feared weapons.

In a enjoying profession, bridging the newbie and Open eras, Pilic was world-class, reaching the 1962 Wimbledon doubles remaining with Boro Jovanovic, beating Roy Emerson en path to the 1967 semi-finals on the All-England Membership. As the game went open to newbie {and professional} gamers, Pilic joined the ‘Good-looking Eight’ of Lamar Hunt’s group, World Championship Tennis (WCT), in 1968, alongside Dennis Ralston, John Newcombe, Tony Roche, Cliff Drysdale, Earl Buchholz, Roger Taylor and Pierre Barthes. The tall left-hander additionally teamed up with Barthes for the 1970 US Open doubles title (d. Emerson/Laver).

But in Could 1973, Pilic and the correct of all gamers to decide on the place and once they competed got here to a head, when the Yugoslav Tennis Federation suspended Pilic for 9 months for failing to play in a Davis Cup match towards New Zealand in Zagreb.

Simply as Pilic stepped off courtroom at Roland Garros, having completed runner-up to Ilie Nastase within the remaining, it was introduced that the Worldwide Tennis Federation had upheld the suspension. An emergency assembly decreased the suspension to 1 month, taking within the Italian and German Opens, and the primary week of Wimbledon.

Within the construct as much as The Championships, it was clear that the Affiliation of Tennis Professionals’ try, as British journalist David Grey wrote, to “assert Pilic’s liberty of motion by looking for an injunction to restrain the All-England Membership and the ITF from barring him,” could fail. It did.

Nikola Pilic, Cliff Drysdale, Arthur Ashe and Jack Kramer exterior the Excessive Court docket in London in June 1973.” model=”width:100%;” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media/photos/information/2025/09/23/16/20/pilic-london-1973.jpg”>
^{From left to proper: Nikola Pilic, Cliff Drysdale, Arthur Ashe and Jack Kramer exterior the Excessive Court docket in London in June 1973. Credit score: Leonard Burt/Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Photos}

Compromises have been prompt, however in the end 81 male gamers voted to withdraw from Wimbledon, because the membership of ATP, fashioned solely in September 1972, needed a extra skilled method to the organisation of the match circuit. It was the making of the player-led Affiliation of Tennis Professionals, which might later be part of forces with match administrators in 1990 to kind the ATP Tour.

Stan Smith, the 1972 Wimbledon champion and early ATP President, advised ATPTour.com, “Clearly he was the set off level for the boycott at Wimbledon. We felt as a fledgling ATP that gamers ought to be capable of play the place they need, when they need. We backed him not due to who he was, however as a result of he was a member of our affiliation, who was not being allowed to play for what we felt was not a great motive.”

Having retired from competitors, Pilic grew to become a coach, serving to information Germany to 3 Davis Cup trophies in 1988, 1989 and 1993. He was additionally available as captain for Croatia and Serbia of their respective 2005 and 2010 title-winning runs.

“Niki was a really proficient participant, along with his serve and forehand being nice weapons,” Smith mentioned. “He was additionally a great thinker and he got here near successful some large tournaments.

“Off the courtroom, he had an opinion on about virtually any topic and appeared to have expertise and information in lots of areas. I used to be on an airplane with him one time and he mentioned that the engine did not sound regular and that this could possibly be harmful. I requested him what he knew about airplanes and he mentioned, ‘I do know these engines’.”

Cliff Drysdale, a founding member and President of the ATP, remembers Pilic fondly. “Niki was a buddy and I discovered him to be one of the attention-grabbing gamers on tour to speak to. He was sensible, well-read and a person of precept. In one of many discussions we had that I scoffed at he mentioned that Yugoslavia would collapse. He proved to be proper.

“He was a part of the Good-looking Eight and was very a lot part of the early creation of the ATP. The Wimbledon walkout was a catalyst that turned us from a bunch of men working round like chickens with our heads minimize off to a solidified ATP.

“The boycott was by no means in regards to the cash. It was about Niki’s capability to play Wimbledon as a result of he was certified to play.”

Pilic operated a tennis academy in Oberschleißheim close to Munich, establishing a robust fame for self-discipline and his tactical perception, which helped him as a proficient participant. In 1999, Djokovic’s first coach, Jelena Gencic, despatched her 12-year-old pupil to coach there for 3 months.

Pilic married Serbian actress Mija Adamovic. 5 years in the past, he was awarded the Golden Medal of Deserves of Republic of Serbia.

Nikola Pilic, tennis participant, coach, official, born 27 August 1939, died 23 September 2025.