The International Tennis Federation is saddened by the passing of wheelchair tennis coach Hans-Jurgen Striek, Named ITF Wheelchair Coach or the Year for 2023, Striek had previously spent many years as a highly respected wheelchair tennis coach working with several of the Netherlands’ leading wheelchair players and he was also a former World Team Cup-winning captain.
In 2018 he became the personal coach of quad division player Niels Vink, with Vink subsequently earning his first top 10 singles ranking in July 2019 and becoming world No.1 quad singles player for the first time in March 2022, before winning the first of his current seven Grand Slam singles title at Roland Garros in June 2022.
Vink won quad singles and doubles bronze medals at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021 and then became quad singles and doubles champion at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
Striek underwent treatment for illness early in 2024, but was well enough to be alongside Vink when he won his second Wimbledon singles title and his Paris Paralympic gold medals later in the year.
Striek received his ITF Wheelchair Coach or the Year Award for 2023 at the 2024 NEC Wheelchair Singles and UNIQLO Wheelchair Doubles Masters in Arnhem, the Netherlands, where Vink won his third Singles Masters title and his fourth Doubles Masters title alongside fellow Dutchman Sam Schroder.
In naming Striek as winner of the 2023 ITF Wheelchair Coach of the Year Award, the ITF Wheelchair Tennis Committee recognised an outstanding coach and someone who always gave a lot of time and commitment to his role, while remaining unconditionally eager to continue to learn.
Hans-Jurgen-Striek will be remembered as a highly respected member of the international tennis community, as someone who made a substantial contribution to the development of wheelchair tennis and players, both nationally and internationally, and as someone who was prepared to help other coaches and trainers to improve when it comes to teaching their own players.
The ITF extends its deepest condolences to Hans-Jurgen Striek’s family, friends, and all those who were inspired by working with and knowing him.
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