TORONTO — Retired tennis player Bruno Agostinelli Jr., a former University of Kentucky star and member of Canada’s Davis Cup team, died Wednesday at age 28.
Tennis Canada confirmed Agostinelli’s death in a statement on Thursday. The statement did not indicate a cause of death, but multiple media reports say Agostinelli was involved in a motorcycle accident in Toronto on Wednesday night.
"This news has shocked and saddened our entire organization and the tennis community today," Kelly Murumets, president and CEO for Tennis Canada. said in a statement. "Bruno was simply a terrific person. Humble about his accomplishments, caring and kind towards his players, and passionate about his job, his life and his family. This is a truly devastating loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bruno’s family and everyone who loved him dearly, as we did."
Agostinelli, a native of Niagara Falls, Ont., captured a fifth and deciding rubber for Canada at a Davis Cup tie versus Peru in 2009.
Collegiately, Agostinelli was an all-American and named Kentucky’s male athlete of the year in 2009.
"We will dearly miss Bruno Agostinelli. He was great on the court and exemplified everything it means to be a Kentucky Wildcat off of it," Kentucky athletics director Mitch Barnhart said in a release. "My heart breaks for his family and we offer our deepest condolences."
After retiring from professional tennis in 2009, Agostinelli was the national coach for under-14 players at Tennis Canada’s national junior training program in Toronto.