Sadly, last weekend we lost two pillars of our tennis family: Midtown Tennis Club founder and past USTA President Alan Schwartz, and Hall of Fame coach, author and tennis shaman Nick Bollettieri, both at the tender age of 91.
To say these men were passionate advocates for our sport and its growth is to do disservice to the phrase. I think of them as two of tennis’ founding fathers, our own Jefferson and Adams. Both in very different ways spent their lifetimes laying foundations for the game that will endure for generations; both always leading while broadening our community, both building innumerable lasting friendships and both mentoring tennis' next leaders, myself included. While their indelible legacies remain, they are irreplaceable originals who will be sorely missed. On behalf of everyone at Tennis Channel, I want to extend our deepest condolences to their families and all who share in this profound loss.