Djokovic's 'tennis dad' Nikola Pilic dies aged 87 | Sports

BELGRADE, Sept 23, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Croatian tennis legend Nikola Pilic, whocaptained multiple Davis Cup-winning sides and was an early mentor to NovakDjokovic, has died at the age of 87, the country's tennis associationannounced on Tuesday. "One of the greatest players and coaches Croatian tennis has ever had," diedon Monday in the western Croatian town of Opatija, the association reportedin a statement. Pilic began his career in Split in 1953 and, just four years later, wasrepresenting 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 thefinal of the...