Hans-Jurgen Striek named ITF Wheelchair Tennis Coach of the Year 2023
Hans-Jurgen Striek, personal coach of world No. 1 quad singles player Niels Vink, has been named ITF Wheelchair Tennis Coach of the Year for 2023.
The Coach of the Year Award is presented to a coach who is considered to have made a substantial contribution to the development of wheelchair tennis and players both nationally and internationally. The Award is presented by the ITF Wheelchair Tennis Committee and was introduced in 2004.
Hans-Jurgen Striek became Niel Vink’s coach in 2018 and has overseen Vink’s rise to the top of the sport. Vink is now a four-time Grand Slam singles champion and seven-time Grand Slam doubles champion - winning his first singles title at one of the four majors at Roland Garros in 2022.
The 21-year-old enjoyed a remarkable 2023, during which he won all but two of his singles matches, ending the year with a win-loss record of 53-2, and as world No. 1 in quad singles and world No. 2 in quad doubles.
Vink’s 12 singles titles during 2023 included his first Wimbledon crown, the successful defence of his Roland Garros title and a second NEC Wheelchair Singles Masters title in three years. He was also quad singles finalist at the Australian Open and the US Open behind regular doubles partner Sam Schroder, with whom he won 10 of his 12 doubles titles during last season.
View this post on Instagram
Striek was recognised as an outstanding coach during the nomination process and as someone who gives a lot of time and commitment to his role and who is unconditionally eager to learn. He and Vink have a great chemistry as player and coach, which is a major factor in their success.
Before Striek began coaching Vink, he had already spent many years as a highly respected wheelchair tennis coach and he is a former World Team Cup-winning captain.
His experience and ability as a coach have enabled Vink to continue learning and Striek is always prepared to help other coaches and trainers to improve when it comes to teaching their own wheelchair players.
Striek was announced as 2023 ITF Wheelchair Tennis Coach of the Year during the 2024 BNP Paribas World Team Cup and will receive his award later this year.