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Interview: Nick Bollettieri

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(CNN) -- CNN's Candy Reid interviewed American tennis coach Nick Bollettieri, who is credited with developing many world-class champions, including Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Monica Seles, and Mary Pierce. The following is a transcript:

Q. Do you think Andre Agassi fulfilled his potential?

A. Andre Agassi has gone far beyond his potential as a player. He is an ambassador to the game and a caring and loving person to young children. He was willing to go far beyond the dreams of people to regain his loss of being the best of the best. I feel his contribution to sports, tennis, business, and children will continue to grow while he will also be a real dad to his children and husband to Steffi. In so many ways he will always remember his support team and tennis fans throughout the entire world.

Q. Are there any funny/interesting stories you can share with us about your time with Andre?

A. Andre was leaving to go back to Las Vegas for a few days vacation and he was talking to me about all sorts of things and all of a sudden he asked me if I ever listened to people. My answer was a quick "no!" He said you might learn much more about me if you did. As he walked away he turned and said are you listening and I said "yes! Please talk to Dr. Gerber" (Headmaster at his school) "and tell him I can keep my long hair!"

Q. Who do you think will win the U.S. Open, men's and women's?

A. Roger Federer will certainly be the man to beat. The women's draw is much more wide open but Justine Henin-Hardenne has a slight edge. Watch out for Lindsey Davenport if she is totally healthy!

Q. What's your opinion on the new technology for challenging line calls?

A. I am in favor of the new technology for challenging calls, they must find a way to be able to do this on every court.

Q. And do you think coaches should be allowed on court?

A. Review just about any sport in the world plus Davis Cup, Team tennis, college tennis, etc., and coaching is allowed in all of the above. We all are aware coaching takes place in all sorts of ways. Lets be open about this. I also agree with Federer that the game must be played on court, but there are times that tennis is not very exiting to watch and to be able to listen to the opinions of coaches would add excitement to a game. Tennis will miss Agassi who joins the list of Connors, Mac, Nastase, and Noah, great players who made tennis a MUST to watch!

Q. Is it true you've been helping Serena Williams in her comeback from injury?

A. Serena Williams has spent considerable time with me this summer, a great deal of progress has been made, however, being ready for a two-week event is still a question mark. No one hits the ball cleaner or as sweet as Serena.

Q. Who are the best young players at your Academy right now?

A. Jesse Levine, Austin Krajicek, Michelle Brito, Phillip Bester, Devon Britton, Tammy Hendler, Kei Nishikori, Alex Clayton, Mallory Cecil, Pavel Chekhov, Lazlo Kukishivilli, Tara Moore, Pedro Souza, Gastao Elias, Rhyne Williams, Marcus Fugate.

Q. And finally, what's your best advice you could give to up and coming players?

A. The best advice I can give to young players include:

1. Success takes time

2. Have a strong support team that will be truthful with you

3. Have realistic goals

4. Do not neglect your education and always keep college as an option

5. The physical and mental part of the game cannot be secondary to your court time

6. You must have a passion for the game and compete for every single point

7. Be open to make adjustments and even a major change


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Nick Bollettieri

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