Background and career
Johan Christiaan Kriek (born April 5, 1958) is a South African–American former professional tennis player. He won two Australian Open titles, defeating Steve Denton in four sets in the 1981 final and the same opponent in the 1982 final in straight sets, when he tamed Denton's powerful serve and "relentlessly whipped winners past him from all angles of the court".
Kriek reached the semifinals at the French Open and US Open, as well as the quarterfinals of the Wimbledon Championships. He won 14 professional singles and eight doubles titles, reaching a career-high singles ranking of world No. 7 in September 1984.
