TENNIS icon Nikola Pilic has died aged 86.

The Croatian tennis star died on Monday, according to a statement released by the Croatian Tennis Association.

Pilic was a Grand Slam champion thanks to his success in the US Open doubles in 1970.

While he reached the final of the doubles at Wimbledon 1962 and was a finalist for the men's singles at the 1973 French Open.

His runner-up effort at Roland Garros came in the same year that he was a catalyst for the Wimbledon boycott.

Pilic had been accused by Yugoslavia tennis officials of refusing to play a David Cup match against New Zealand, something he denied.

However, he was still suspended by the International Lawn Tennis Federation and ultimately forced to miss out on the 1973 Wimbledon.

Standing with Pilic, 81 top male players boycotted

See Full Page