A message from our new IC Council President, Michael Stich

For many years, I have had the privilege of being a member of the International Lawn Tennis Club of Germany. From the very beginning, what drew me to the IC was not just its heritage or the familiar faces from the tour, but the shared values that underpin our community: fair play, respect for opponents, lifelong friendship, and the simple joy of continuing to compete together. The IC has always been a place where former players remain part of the sport, long after the professional spotlight moves on.

In more recent years I have had the honour of contributing as Vice-President of the IC Council.

One of the areas closest to my heart has been the IC Jean Borotra Sportsmanship Award. Originally sponsored by CQS and now, proudly, by Deltroit, the award stands for the character, humility and sportsmanship that we believe should define not only champions on the circuit, but ambassadors for tennis as a whole. Presenting and promoting this award has reminded me how powerful our values are when they are lived by players at the highest level.

Following Frank Sedgman as President of the Council of International Lawn Tennis Clubs is a genuine honour. 

He has led with dignity and great affection for the IC family, and I am grateful for his example as I begin my term as President.  

Looking ahead, my priorities are clear. We must continue to welcome more former professionals into the IC fold. Our goal is not simply to add names to membership lists, but to offer a meaningful community. Many players retire earlier than they imagined, and often without a clear sense of what comes next. The IC can play an important role in helping former professionals remain part of the sport — enabling them to compete recreationally, to engage with younger generations, to give back to charitable and cultural initiatives, as well as to stay connected with friends from the tour. The appetite is there; we simply need to keep opening the doors.

And finally, I look forward to meeting many more IC members across our Clubs and events in the months ahead. Please do not hesitate to reach out — this is your IC, and I am very much here for you.

More about Michael

Michael won 18 ATP Tour singles titles, reaching a career-high ranking of World No. 2 in 1993. His Grand Slam record included three singles finals: victory at Wimbledon in 1991, and runner-up at the 1994 US Open and 1996 French Open. He won titles on all four surfaces — hard, clay, grass, and carpet — a feat achieved by only a handful of players in the Open Era. At the 1993 ATP Tour World Championships he took the title undefeated, beating Pete Sampras in the final. He won the Wimbledon men's doubles in 1992 partnering John McEnroe, and took Olympic gold in doubles at the Barcelona Games the same year, partnering Boris Becker. The Wimbledon doubles final — won in a record 83-game match lasting five hours, with the final set decided 19–17 — remains the longest in The Championships’ history.

Michael represented Germany in the Davis Cup from 1990 to 1996, compiling an overall record of 35 wins and 11 losses, with 21 wins from 30 singles rubbers. He was in the winning German team in 1988, 1989, and 1993. In the 1993 final against Australia, played on clay in Düsseldorf, he won all three of his rubbers, including the clincher. He served as captain of the German Davis Cup team from 2001 to 2003.

Since retiring from the tour, Michael has remained central to the sport in many roles. He served as Tournament Director of the Hamburg Open. He was a long-standing ambassador for German tennis and for international charitable tennis initiatives. 

Michael founded the Michael Stich Foundation in 1994 which work on behalf of children affected by HIV/AIDS. Through his efforts, more than 50,000 children have been reached in over 110 schools. His work has earned him the German Federal Cross of Merit.

Michael has been active as a sports commentator, event organiser, and author. His other interests include sailing, golf, music, and travel.

Michael was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2018. 

A longstanding member of the IC of Germany, he served as Vice President of the IC Council before being elected its President in July 2025, succeeding Frank Sedgman, who had held the role since 2002.