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Michael Stich (born 18 October 1968 in Pinneberg, Germany) is a former professional tennis player from Germany. Stich won his first professional singles title in 1990. The highlight of his career came just a year later in 1991 at Wimbledon. He shocked the tennis world first in the semi-finals, where he defeated the defending champion and World No. 1 Stefan Edberg 4-6, 7-6, 7-6, 7-6. Then in the final he went on to beat his compatriot and three-time former Wimbledon champion Boris Becker in straight sets 6-4, 7-6, 6-4.
1992 saw Stich enjoy notable success in doubles play. He teamed up with John McEnroe to win the men’s doubles title at Wimbledon in an epic five-set and five-hour final which stretched into Monday, the day after the tournament normally ends, and ended with a 19-17 final set. And then at the summer’s Olympic Games in Barcelona, Stich teamed up with Becker to win the men’s doubles Gold Medal for Germany. Stich also won the 1992 Grand Slam Cup, defeating Michael Chang in straight sets in the final.
A major highlight of 1993 for Stich came at the end-of-year ATP World Championships, where he defeated Pete Sampras in a stunning five-set final to claim the title. Playing for Germany, Stich also won both the Davis Cup and the Hopman Cup in 1993.
Stich reached his second Grand Slam final at the 1994 US Open, where he lost in straight sets to Andre Agassi 6-1, 7-6, 7-5. Stich’s impressive run of success playing for Germany continued in 1994, when he was part of the German team which won the World Team Cup.
Stich’s third and final Grand Slam final appearance came in 1996, when he was defeated in tight final at the French Open by Yevgeny Kafelnikov 7-6, 7-5, 7-6.
Stich’s talent and all-round ability, mastering serve-and-volley as well as baseline play, especially with his one-handed backhand, allowed him to become one of the few players to win tournaments on all surfaces. In his career, he won 18 singles titles and 10 doubles titles. His highest singles ranking was World No. 2 in 1993.
Stich retired from the professional tour in 1997. Since his retirement, he has devoted most of his time to his own AIDS foundation. Stich was married to the German actress Jessica Stockmann (1992-2003). In 2005 he married Alexandra Rikowski.
Grand Slam singles finals
Wins (1)
Year Championship Opponent in Final Score in Final
1991 Wimbledon Boris Becker 6-4, 7-6, 6-4
Runner-ups (2)
Year Championship Opponent in Final Score in Final
1994 US Open Andre Agassi 6-1, 7-6, 7-5
1996 French Open Yevgeny Kafelnikov 7-6, 7-5, 7-6
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