South African-born Johan Kriek became a U.S. citizen in 1982. Having turned pro in 1978, he went onto win the Australian Open in 1981 and 1982 (d. Denton both times) and was a quarter-finalist (or better) at all four Grand Slam championships.

Kriek won 14 singles and eight doubles titles during his career, reaching a career-high World No. 7 in singles (on 10 September 1984) and No. 12 in doubles (on 15 August 1988). His most memorable victories came over Andre Agassi, Borg Borg, Jimmy Connors, Stefan Edberg, John McEnroe and Guillermo Vilas. He finished in the year-end Top 20 six consecutive years (1980-85) and qualified for four consecutive Masters tournaments (1983-86).

At the major championships, he compiled a 25-6 record at the Australian Open, which he first visited as a 12-year-old spectator. He reached the 1986 Roland Garros semi-finals (l. to Lendl); the 1981 and 1982 Wimbledon quarter-finals (l. to McEnroe both times) and, at the US Open, his best result was advancing to the 1980 semi-finals (l. to Borg) after quarter-final exits the previous two years.

From 1993 to 2000, Kriek played on the ATP Champions Tour, reaching the number one senior tour ranking in both singles and doubles. Kriek and his doubles partner, Kevin Curren, won the Wimbledon senior doubles title four times in the row, from 2003 to 2006.

Kriek is currently the owner and operator of the Johan Kriek Tennis Academy.