MICHAEL STICH PRESENTED WITH HALL OF FAME RING IN MUNICH
Left to right: BMW Open Tournament Director Patrik Kuhnen, Marko Mlakar (ITHF Board), ITHF CEO Dan Faber, Michael Stich, Per Franzen (ITHF Board), Lynn and Rob Serpico (ITHF Board), Alexei Selivanenko (ITHF Board)
Photo credit: Getty Images
Hall of Famer Michael Stich was presented with his official Hall of Fame ring on Center Court at the 2024 BMW Open in Munich, Germany on Saturday, April 20. Stich was inducted to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2018, and was recognized on the 30th anniversary of his 1994 singles title in Munich.
The Hall of Fame rings are one-of-a-kind pieces that are presented to Hall of Famers at later date after induction. Hall of Famers frequently choose tennis events around the world to commemorate their recognition as being among the sport’s greatest champions.
Stich was joined on court by ITHF CEO Dan Faber, members of the ITHF Board of Governors, and BMW Open Tournament Director Patrik Kühnen.
"I'm very proud. In 2018, when I was inducted, it was one of the biggest moments in my career," said Stich. "Thank you very much for this honor of the ring and for giving me that respect. I really appreciate that."
"It's not so much about the merits, but about the history and tradition of our sport. The whole tennis history is depicted in the Hall of Fame in Newport - that doesn't exist anywhere else in the world and that's very special. My motto is therefore always: Every sport is bigger than every player, and that's exactly what we have to preserve."
Michael Stich is a two-time Wimbledon champion, having captured the singles title in 1991 and paired fellow Hall of Famer John McEnroe for the 1992 doubles title. He also reached the singles final at the US Open (1994) and Roland-Garros (1996). On his career, he captured 18 singles titles and 10 in doubles.
At the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Stich and Hall of Famer Boris Becker became Germany’s first men’s medalists in tennis, winning gold in doubles. He represented his country in Davis Cup competition for six years (1990-96) and was a member of the German championship team in 1993. Later that year, Stich reached a career-high ranking of No. 2 in the world.
Since retiring from tennis in 1997, Stich has remained involved and present in the sport and charitable missions. He served as Tournament Director at the ATP’s Hamburg Open from 2009-18, and continues to provide services for children affected by HIV/AIDS through the Michael Stich Foundation.