“I will never forget”
Becker appreciates Pilić who died with personal words
23.09.2025 – 9:49 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
Niki Pilić died on Monday at the age of 86. Now tennis legend Boris Becker dedicates emotional words to his companion.
After the death of Niki Pilić, Boris Becker said with moving words about his long -time companion. The former Wimbledon winner recalled a special sporting and personal relationship-and of joint successes that have written tennis history.
“Niki Pilić was not only one of the best coaches I ever had, we also became close friends,” said Becker at the request of the Sport Information Service (SID). Pilić died on Monday at the age of 86.
Becker emphasized that he “owes a lot to the former Davis Cup team boss” and sporty. He particularly emphasized Pilić’s role in the German Davis Cup team, who won the title in 1988 and 1989-each in the final against Sweden.
At the same time, Becker emphasized the personally close relationship with Pilić. “I will never forget how I was regularly invited to eat by his wife Mija at home. Back then I often stayed with him. It felt like family,” he said.
In addition to the successes with Germany, Becker also recalled Pilić’s other services in the Davis Cup. The Croatian later won the traditional competition with Croatia and Serbia. That made him the only coach “who became Davis Cup winner with three different nations. That speaks for his sporting quality,” said Becker.
Pilić also remembered for Becker as someone who was committed to tennis with great passion throughout his life. Pilić was an “absolutely tennis crushed in a positive sense”. Even at a very old age, he still gave coaching hours regularly – preferably directly on the pitch.