Tennis world mourns death of renowned Australian coach Bob Brett, age 67

Eleanor Crooks
Jan 05, 2021, updated Jan 05, 2021

Bob Brett, then Japan Davis Cup coach in September 2007. Photo: Getty

Australian tennis coach Bob Brett, one of sport’s most respected mentors, has died of cancer.

Brett, who was 67, shaped the careers of Goran Ivanisevic and Marin Cilic and guided Boris Becker to three grand slam titles and the world No.1 ranking.

He had a short-lived playing career but found his calling as a coach and learned the trade under one of coaching’s greatest names, Harry Hopman.

He initially worked with a group of players including 1981 Australian Open champion Johan Kriek, Mats Wilander, Guy Forget, John Lloyd, Peter McNamara and Paul McNamee and his growing reputation attracted the attention of Becker.

I was just starting out as a coach and he was my star – one of the best coaches in the world.
⁣
He trusted me, believed in me, took me under his wings and taught me the job. He was my mentor and I can’t thank him enough.⁣

Rest In peace, my dear friend Bob Brett. pic.twitter.com/U9T9xwjMFJ

— Patrick Mouratoglou (@pmouratoglou) January 5, 2021

After parting ways with the German in 1991, he worked with Ivanisevic for four years, during which the Croatian reached two grand slam finals, and also enjoyed success with Andrei Medvedev, Nicolas Kiefer and Mario Ancic.

Brett set up his own academy in San Remo, Italy, in 2002, and two years later Ivanisevic brought a 15-year-old Cilic from his home town of Split to the Australian’s base.

Brett worked with Cilic for the next nine years alongside spells helping the Japanese federation and Tennis Canada.

Brett was brought to the Lawn Tennis Association in 2014 following chief executive Michael Downey’s move from Canada to Britain but was not a natural fit behind a desk and he left the following year with the country’s high-performance program in disarray.

Bob Brett’s passing is a great loss to tennis. He was an exceptional coach and widely admired. Bob guided all level of players to success, from Grand Slam champions to those starting out. My sincere thoughts are with Caroline and Katarina and Bob’s extended family and friends.

— Craig Tiley (@CraigTiley) January 5, 2021

On the court, though, Brett’s legacy cannot be disputed and he was awarded the Tim Gullikson Career Coach Award in the 2020 ATP Awards.

Serena Williams’ coach Patrick Mouratoglou, who worked with Brett at the start of his career, wrote on Twitter: “Extremely saddened by the passing of Bob Brett with whom I have collaborated during 6 years and who has taught me so much in my early years as a coach. One of the best coaches I have met. Rest In Peace.”

Craig Tiley, chief executive of Tennis Australia and Australian Open tournament director, also paid tribute to Brett, writing: “Bob Brett’s passing is a great loss to tennis.

“He was an exceptional coach and widely admired. Bob guided all level of players to success, from grand slam champions to those starting out. My sincere thoughts are with Caroline and Katarina and Bob’s extended family and friends.”