Michael Stitch inducted into hall of fame

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http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/stich-entering-hall-of-fame-january-2018

Press Release
Jan 24, 2018


In a special ceremony at the Australian Open, it was announced that Michael Stich has been elected for induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2018. Hall of Fame induction is the ultimate honour in tennis, indicating that one’s career was among the most accomplished and impactful of all-time.

Since the Hall of Fame’s inception in 1954, just 252 individuals have been honoured, hailing from 23 nations. Stich is the sixth German to be inducted, joining the ranks of Boris Becker, Stefanie Graf, and 1930s tennis greats Barron Gottfried Von Cramm, Hans Nusslein, and Hilde Krahwinkel Sperling.

Joining Michael in the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2018 is Czech tennis legend Helena Sukova, a 14-time major champion in doubles and mixed doubles. Stich and Sukova will be officially inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on 21 July, during Hall of Fame Weekend in Newport, Rhode Island.

“Michael’s laser focus and the versatility in his game made him a Wimbledon champion, and today, those skills and accomplishments make him a Hall of Famer,” said Hall of Famer Stan Smith, who also serves as president of the Hall of Fame.

“Being elected into the International Tennis Hall of Fame ensures that their careers and accomplishments will forever be distinguished as being among the greatest in our sport’s history. It’s a well-deserved honour for Helena and Michael, and we look forward to celebrating with them in Newport in July.”

Stich said, “It’s quite an honour to become part of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. I’m humbled to be included among this elite group of tennis athletes, many of whom I so greatly admired and was inspired by throughout my career.”

A versatile player with a full arsenal of skills, Stich achieved a ranking of world No. 2 and became a Wimbledon champion and Olympic gold medalist.

The highlight of Stich’s Hall of Fame career came in 1991 when he won the Wimbledon title, skillfully battling past two former champions and grass-court stars in Stefan Edberg and Becker. A year later, he partnered with John McEnroe to win the doubles title at Wimbledon in a five-hour match that spanned two days. Stich made two more finals appearances at Grand Slam tournaments — at the US Open in 1994 and Roland Garros in 1996.

A skilled player at both the baseline and the net, Stich was successful on all surfaces throughout his career. In 1991 and 1993, he won professional tournaments on all four surfaces.

Stich appeared in 31 finals and won 18 career singles titles, including particularly momentous victories at season-ending events. In the 1992 Grand Slam Cup, Stich defeated Stefan Edberg, Richard Krajicek, Pete Sampras, and Michael Chang to win the title. A year later, he closed the season with wins over Michael Chang, Jim Courier, and Pete Sampras to capture the Nitto ATP Finals title.

Stich was an accomplished representative of Germany throughout his career. At the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, he partnered with Boris Becker to win the Gold Medal in doubles. In 1993 Davis Cup final, he won all three points versus Australia to win the title for Germany.

Today, Stich is the Tournament Director for the German Tennis Championships 2018, an ATP World Tour 500 event in Hamburg. In 1994 he created the Michael Stich Foundation, a robust charity focused on programs aimed at HIV and AIDS awareness, as well as helping children in need.

Class of 2018 Induction Ceremony
The Class of 2018 will be officially inducted on 21 July, during Hall of Fame Weekend at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island. Tickets for the Induction Ceremony will go on sale on 5 March. In addition, the class will be celebrated in a tribute exhibit in the museum at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, which will open in June and be displayed for one year.
 
Nice for Stich. Wonderful player. Mensch. What a smooth serve, and a gorgeous backhand. He could do anything and everything with the ball. Not a bad mover for his height. Looked like an emu with a tennis racquet. an emu with perfect technique.

He was nice enough to sign an autograph on an early version of the big ball for my young cousin. And this was a hot, sweaty day here in the Us, where he did not always play well. Seemed to like cool, damp conditions like in Hamburg.

I loved his 91 Wimbledon win over Edberg and Boris. Really liked his win in the 93 atp YEC in hannover. Also, awesome was his Wimbledon dubs with with Johnny mac!
A couple of rough slam finals against andre in 94 and kafelnikov in 96. Wish he could have taken those two matches.
 
When is Sergi Bruguera getting inducted? Only player eligible with multiple major titles who hasn't been inducted yet!
Right. Interesting.
Why the Sergi snub?
I get why Korda isn't in the conversation. But Bruguera was a force... not quite Rafter level, but close.

You know who is worthy (with a slam, and a stint at the top of the rankings), too, is Moya.
I am a fan of Corretja. Never won a slam, but he took the AtP tour masters cup in dramatic fashion....over Moyá.

Well, back on topic...
Stich is awesome. Looking forward to hearing his Newport.
 

FrontHeadlock

Hall of Fame
Right. Interesting.
Why the Sergi snub?
I get why Korda isn't in the conversation. But Bruguera was a force... not quite Rafter level, but close.

You know who is worthy (with a slam, and a stint at the top of the rankings), too, is Moya.
I am a fan of Corretja. Never won a slam, but he took the AtP tour masters cup in dramatic fashion....over Moyá.

Well, back on topic...
Stich is awesome. Looking forward to hearing his Newport.

Agreed. I didn't mean to suggest Stich wasn't worthy. He is a very worthy inductee.
 
Agreed. I didn't mean to suggest Stich wasn't worthy. He is a very worthy inductee.
Of course. I am wondering why Newport has snubbed Sergi? Two Rolands in a row.
Muster one day might be overlooked. But not this guy.

Anyway, i wanted to also mention another nice memory of Stich. The crowd loved his runner-up speech at RG 96,
"Je voudrais dire quelque choses en Français, au jour d'hui...."
They melted, and were wishing he had beaten kalashnikov at that point.
 

chut

Professional
Of course. I am wondering why Newport has snubbed Sergi? Two Rolands in a row.
Muster one day might be overlooked. But not this guy.

Anyway, i wanted to also mention another nice memory of Stich. The crowd loved his runner-up speech at RG 96,
"Je voudrais dire quelque choses en Français, au jour d'hui...."
They melted, and were wishing he had beaten kalashnikov at that point.

I wished he won that day :(
Stich was a 90's version of the all court player, good on every surface, extremely talented. He never really came back from his awful injury though.
 

timnz

Legend
http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/stich-entering-hall-of-fame-january-2018

Press Release
Jan 24, 2018


In a special ceremony at the Australian Open, it was announced that Michael Stich has been elected for induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2018. Hall of Fame induction is the ultimate honour in tennis, indicating that one’s career was among the most accomplished and impactful of all-time.

Since the Hall of Fame’s inception in 1954, just 252 individuals have been honoured, hailing from 23 nations. Stich is the sixth German to be inducted, joining the ranks of Boris Becker, Stefanie Graf, and 1930s tennis greats Barron Gottfried Von Cramm, Hans Nusslein, and Hilde Krahwinkel Sperling.

Joining Michael in the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2018 is Czech tennis legend Helena Sukova, a 14-time major champion in doubles and mixed doubles. Stich and Sukova will be officially inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on 21 July, during Hall of Fame Weekend in Newport, Rhode Island.

“Michael’s laser focus and the versatility in his game made him a Wimbledon champion, and today, those skills and accomplishments make him a Hall of Famer,” said Hall of Famer Stan Smith, who also serves as president of the Hall of Fame.

“Being elected into the International Tennis Hall of Fame ensures that their careers and accomplishments will forever be distinguished as being among the greatest in our sport’s history. It’s a well-deserved honour for Helena and Michael, and we look forward to celebrating with them in Newport in July.”

Stich said, “It’s quite an honour to become part of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. I’m humbled to be included among this elite group of tennis athletes, many of whom I so greatly admired and was inspired by throughout my career.”

A versatile player with a full arsenal of skills, Stich achieved a ranking of world No. 2 and became a Wimbledon champion and Olympic gold medalist.

The highlight of Stich’s Hall of Fame career came in 1991 when he won the Wimbledon title, skillfully battling past two former champions and grass-court stars in Stefan Edberg and Becker. A year later, he partnered with John McEnroe to win the doubles title at Wimbledon in a five-hour match that spanned two days. Stich made two more finals appearances at Grand Slam tournaments — at the US Open in 1994 and Roland Garros in 1996.

A skilled player at both the baseline and the net, Stich was successful on all surfaces throughout his career. In 1991 and 1993, he won professional tournaments on all four surfaces.

Stich appeared in 31 finals and won 18 career singles titles, including particularly momentous victories at season-ending events. In the 1992 Grand Slam Cup, Stich defeated Stefan Edberg, Richard Krajicek, Pete Sampras, and Michael Chang to win the title. A year later, he closed the season with wins over Michael Chang, Jim Courier, and Pete Sampras to capture the Nitto ATP Finals title.

Stich was an accomplished representative of Germany throughout his career. At the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, he partnered with Boris Becker to win the Gold Medal in doubles. In 1993 Davis Cup final, he won all three points versus Australia to win the title for Germany.

Today, Stich is the Tournament Director for the German Tennis Championships 2018, an ATP World Tour 500 event in Hamburg. In 1994 he created the Michael Stich Foundation, a robust charity focused on programs aimed at HIV and AIDS awareness, as well as helping children in need.

Class of 2018 Induction Ceremony
The Class of 2018 will be officially inducted on 21 July, during Hall of Fame Weekend at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island. Tickets for the Induction Ceremony will go on sale on 5 March. In addition, the class will be celebrated in a tribute exhibit in the museum at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, which will open in June and be displayed for one year.
"In the 1992 Grand Slam Cup, Stich defeated Stefan Edberg, Richard Krajicek, Pete Sampras, and Michael Chang to win the title" shows the lie to those who depreciate the Grand Slam cup! It was also best of 5 in semi's and finals!
 

70後

Hall of Fame
Stan is also a single time champion of the authentic altar, the true tabernacle, the shining shrine, the perfect pinnacle, and the most prestigious event of the sport.
 

Gizo

Hall of Fame
Congratulations to Stich. In my opinion he was the most technically complete player of the 90s, and I thought that his playing style was more elegant than Edberg's.

I've never understood the issue with and outrage at 1 time grand slam winners (who have had numerous other impressive feats as well) getting inducted into the hall of fame. They are very much in the elite, as they've achieved a much better career than over 99.99% of players that have ever turned pro. Sometimes people who follow the likes of Federer, Nadal, Sampras etc can become spoilt, lose perspective and not understand just how difficult and impressive it is win a grand slam title, reach world no. 1 or 2, win numerous other big titles, a Davis Cup etc. If there were minimum requirements for players to win at least 3 grand slam titles in singles or something, it would be a pretty sparse and bare hall of fame that's for sure.
 

cedm

New User
I have never seen a more beautiful service motion than Michael's ever; it was so smooth, uncomplicated, and effective. He was a player you'd just watch over and over to learn how to play the game right. I missed his style horribly when he left. Good choice to induct him, he's deserving.
 

BGod

G.O.A.T.
Seriously, Kafelnikov & Pierce. What in the actual hell is going on with this committee? People make fun of conspiracy and corruption but these are prime examples. There is no way you keep those two waiting while inducting players like Sukova, Chang, Stich, etc.

Tennis Hall is honestly one of the most laughable up there with WWE. That's not even a hyperbole. If they wanted any legitimacy they would only induct former #1s with multiple titles or outliers such as Wawrinka who achieved but weren't #1.

Not slamming guys like Roddick btw, those are extenuating circumstances but this gets ridiculous.

No I wouldn't put Bruegera with being a clay only performer but he's in with these standards.

Kafelnikov:
6 Weeks #1
2 Slams in 3 Finals
Olympic Gold
WTF Runner-Up
5 Masters Finals
YE: 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6
 

thrust

Legend
Nice for Stich. Wonderful player. Mensch. What a smooth serve, and a gorgeous backhand. He could do anything and everything with the ball. Not a bad mover for his height. Looked like an emu with a tennis racquet. an emu with perfect technique.

He was nice enough to sign an autograph on an early version of the big ball for my young cousin. And this was a hot, sweaty day here in the Us, where he did not always play well. Seemed to like cool, damp conditions like in Hamburg.

I loved his 91 Wimbledon win over Edberg and Boris. Really liked his win in the 93 atp YEC in hannover. Also, awesome was his Wimbledon dubs with with Johnny mac!
A couple of rough slam finals against andre in 94 and kafelnikov in 96. Wish he could have taken those two matches.
Another ONE slam wonder in the Tennis HOF! How many total tournaments did Stich win? Sukova in the HOF, a total joke, as was Shriver.
 

FrontHeadlock

Hall of Fame
Thomas Muster had the far, far greater career with way more titles. If Stich and Roddick can get in, why not Thomas? He has one slam as well but about 40 other titles.

Muster has a couple problems. First, he only reached one major final, which really means that his acceptance to the HOF hinges on a single match, which I don't like. Compare him to someone like Roddick, who, even if he loses that USO final, has at least a plausible argument having lost 4 other major finals to a player widely regarded as the best ever.

The other issue with Muster is that he does not have a single match victory at Wimbledon. I'm not a grass troll or anything, but that's a pretty bad statistic for someone angling for the Hall of Fame.
 

AnOctorokForDinner

Talk Tennis Guru
Muster has a couple problems. First, he only reached one major final, which really means that his acceptance to the HOF hinges on a single match, which I don't like. Compare him to someone like Roddick, who, even if he loses that USO final, has at least a plausible argument having lost 4 other major finals to a player widely regarded as the best ever.

The other issue with Muster is that he does not have a single match victory at Wimbledon. I'm not a grass troll or anything, but that's a pretty bad statistic for someone angling for the Hall of Fame.

Achievements-wise you may be right, but given that he did all of it after that terrible drunk driver incident, which I read took some iron will and regimen to recover from, I'd like to see him in the HoF, too.
 

FrontHeadlock

Hall of Fame
Achievements-wise you may be right, but given that he did all of it after that terrible drunk driver incident, which I read took some iron will and regimen to recover from, I'd like to see him in the HoF, too.

Agreed in that I respect the heck out of Muster for his hard work and achievements coming back from that horrific injury. Idk if that warrants HOF induction, but I see your point.
 

thrust

Legend
18 titles, which is solid. 3 major finals, a WTF title, Grand Slam Cup, Olympic gold medal in doubles, and won tournaments on carpet, hard, grass and clay. That's a HOF resume.
I guess they had to sneak him in before the new standards come into effect in a year or two.
 

tguru

Rookie
Seriously, Kafelnikov & Pierce. What in the actual hell is going on with this committee? People make fun of conspiracy and corruption but these are prime examples. There is no way you keep those two waiting while inducting players like Sukova, Chang, Stich, etc.

Tennis Hall is honestly one of the most laughable up there with WWE. That's not even a hyperbole. If they wanted any legitimacy they would only induct former #1s with multiple titles or outliers such as Wawrinka who achieved but weren't #1.

Not slamming guys like Roddick btw, those are extenuating circumstances but this gets ridiculous.

No I wouldn't put Bruegera with being a clay only performer but he's in with these standards.

Kafelnikov:
6 Weeks #1
2 Slams in 3 Finals
Olympic Gold
WTF Runner-Up
5 Masters Finals
YE: 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6

As I have said before there is one reason Kafelnikov is never getting in and the longer he is overlooked the more my theory is validated.
 

Mainad

Bionic Poster
Stan is also a single time champion of the authentic altar, the true tabernacle, the shining shrine, the perfect pinnacle, and the most prestigious event of the sport.

He can't be. He hasn't won Wimbledon yet! ;)
 

AM75

Hall of Fame
Seriously, Kafelnikov & Pierce. What in the actual hell is going on with this committee? People make fun of conspiracy and corruption but these are prime examples. There is no way you keep those two waiting while inducting players like Sukova, Chang, Stich, etc.
<...>

Kafelnikov:
6 Weeks #1
2 Slams in 3 Finals
Olympic Gold
WTF Runner-Up
5 Masters Finals
YE: 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6

+ 4 GS doubles titles
 
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BeatlesFan

Bionic Poster
Muster has a couple problems. First, he only reached one major final, which really means that his acceptance to the HOF hinges on a single match, which I don't like. Compare him to someone like Roddick, who, even if he loses that USO final, has at least a plausible argument having lost 4 other major finals to a player widely regarded as the best ever.

The other issue with Muster is that he does not have a single match victory at Wimbledon. I'm not a grass troll or anything, but that's a pretty bad statistic for someone angling for the Hall of Fame.
Fair enough points, but he won 44 titles in his career and a slam. That's easily as good as Roddick's career. The Wimbledon knock is sure legit though.
 

Mainad

Bionic Poster
Congratulations to Stich. In my opinion he was the most technically complete player of the 90s, and I thought that his playing style was more elegant than Edberg's.

I've never understood the issue with and outrage at 1 time grand slam winners (who have had numerous other impressive feats as well) getting inducted into the hall of fame. They are very much in the elite, as they've achieved a much better career than over 99.99% of players that have ever turned pro. Sometimes people who follow the likes of Federer, Nadal, Sampras etc can become spoilt, lose perspective and not understand just how difficult and impressive it is win a grand slam title, reach world no. 1 or 2, win numerous other big titles, a Davis Cup etc. If there were minimum requirements for players to win at least 3 grand slam titles in singles or something, it would be a pretty sparse and bare hall of fame that's for sure.

Some tennis fans are obsessed by the Slam count and think that is the only criteria there should ever be. Whilst the current eligibility criteria stipulates a minimum Slam count for automatic inclusion on a ballot of proposed new entrants the HoF also allows the Enshrinee Nominating Committee to consider other players who have had a distinguished career for entry on the ballot. This is why there are 1 time Slam champions in the Hall as well as those who fulfil the minimum requirements for automatic entry.
 

FrontHeadlock

Hall of Fame
Roddick made more Slam finals though.

yeah, 5 vs. 1 in major finals is huge difference, especially when you consider that Roddick lost 3 of them to absolute peak Fed. really hard to hold that against Roddick imo, and i'm not even that big of a Roddick fan.

My test is always this: if you change the outcome of a single match in a player's career, can you still make the case for that player being in the HOF?

With someone like Roddick, I think the answer is yes.

With someone like Muster, suppose, at 5-5 in the 4th set of the 1995 RG QF, that Albert Costa wins the next two games as opposed to Muster and thus wins the match. Could you then credibly argue Muster as a HOFer? Heck, get Muster to the final and assume he loses that -- could you still credibly argue him as a hall of famer? I can't, and I'm one who is very supportive of clay court players.
 
Stich is the GOAT having been long retired still managed to win the Nitto ATP finals. Stich>fedal confirmed
Hahaha, spot on....this is funny. I always laugh when sponsor names are used retroactively.

As the famous Jimmy Connors once said, "This is what they pay for, this is what they want."
 
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Funny, if the standards are too high, the list of inductees will shrink. Fewer enshrinements brightens the accolade, but could dull the lustre of the ceremony each summer.
With the domination of the big (3, 4), we will have some lean induction classes, unless they include some single slammers...."1 slam wonders"

This is the hall of fame, not the hall of GOAT or the hall of ATG.
Stich, yes, obviously.
Sergi, i am for it.
Krajicek, i am for it.
Korda....nah, sadly. Loved his game, but Petr would need a major PR campaign clearing him of PED use. I feel this way about Sharapova, but she has something Over korda. Number of slams, yeah, and also a certain intangible q factor.
One slammers....Thomas Johansson? Gaston gaudio? Albert Costa? JC Ferrero?

Current crop.....Hard not to simply project the enshrinement of Muzza and Stanley, and The Bryan brothers together. Leander Paes. Both Williams sisters. Well, as much as i do not respect her, I would think Sharapova would get in.
Marin Cilic? JM Del Potro? I do realize those two have a shot at becoming multiple slammers.

Funny how Todd Martin is administratively the guy behind the guys on this project. Or is he just a figurehead?
 

sureshs

Bionic Poster
Funny, if the standards are too high, the list of inductees will shrink. Fewer enshrinements brightens the accolade, but could dull the lustre of the ceremony each summer.
With the domination of the big (3, 4), we will have some lean induction classes, unless they include some single slammers...."1 slam wonders"

This is the hall of fame, not the hall of GOAT or the hall of ATG.
Stich, yes, obviously.
Sergi, i am for it.
Krajicek, i am for it.
Korda....nah, sadly. Loved his game, but Petr would need a major PR campaign clearing him of PED use. I feel this way about Sharapova, but she has something Over korda. Number of slams, yeah, and also a certain intangible q factor.
One slammers....Thomas Johansson? Gaston gaudio? Albert Costa? JC Ferrero?

Current crop.....Hard not to simply project the enshrinement of Muzza and Stanley, and The Bryan brothers together. Leander Paes. Both Williams sisters. Well, as much as i do not respect her, I would think Sharapova would get in.
Marin Cilic? JM Del Potro? I do realize those two have a shot at becoming multiple slammers.

Funny how Todd Martin is administratively the guy behind the guys on this project. Or is he just a figurehead?

He is the CEO. A committee chooses the players.
 

boredone3456

G.O.A.T.
Another ONE slam wonder in the Tennis HOF! How many total tournaments did Stich win? Sukova in the HOF, a total joke, as was Shriver.

Sukova won 14 doubles majors. she has a career slam in same sex doubles and won 69 doubles titles.

Shriver is one half of arguably the greatest doubles team of all time winning 22 majors in doubles including the calendar year grand slam in womens doubles in 1984. She won at least 4 times in same sex doubles at every major and has 112 doubles titles to her name.

If those don't sound like HOF level careers to you then I don't think you have much credibility.
 

thrust

Legend
Sukova won 14 doubles majors. she has a career slam in same sex doubles and won 69 doubles titles.

Shriver is one half of arguably the greatest doubles team of all time winning 22 majors in doubles including the calendar year grand slam in womens doubles in 1984. She won at least 4 times in same sex doubles at every major and has 112 doubles titles to her name.

If those don't sound like HOF level careers to you then I don't think you have much credibility.
In that case there should be a doubles HOF and a separate singles HOF.
 
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