In 1996, Richard Krajicek clinched the illustrious Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Singles title. Celebrating the 30th anniversary of this momentous achievement, he shared his thoughts with writer Jack Martin, reminiscing about that unforgettable journey and much more.
It’s been 30 years since your legendary Wimbledon win. What memorable moments stand out for you?
“Stepping onto Centre Court for the final was surreal; I could hardly believe it. As a child, I’d watch the finals and was always fascinated by the man carrying the players’ bags. After capturing the title, much is a blur. I remember kneeling on the court, overwhelmed by emotions with the trophy in hand, not quite knowing how to process it all.
“Winning Wimbledon is the pinnacle for me; it’s the first Grand Slam I ever saw. Watching Bjorn Borg triumph in the Seventies was inspiring, and to follow in his footsteps was nothing short of incredible. I later discovered that winning at the All England Club grants you membership, so I still return every August for a round of play. It’s a treasured legacy.”
Initially, you found grass challenging. What was the secret behind your success in 1996?
“Those first couple of years were tough on grass; I even contemplated skipping Wimbledon that year. As a taller player, my movement was off. However, each year brought improvement, which positively impacted my serve and volleying. I had a favorable draw in the initial rounds and during that fortnight in ‘96, my backhand return was exceptional, particularly against Michael Stich and Pete Sampras. I played crucial points against Sampras, and I distinctly remember a moment after the second set. I tuned into Pat Cash on BBC’s Today at Wimbledon, and he remarked on why Sampras was targeting my backhand, indicative of how well I was performing that week.”
What enabled you to excel against Sampras?
“I had a strategy in place. His style complemented mine; he had a weakness on the backhand pass, which I capitalized on with my serve and volley approach. During those opening games in ‘96, he was phenomenal—playing at a level I hadn’t seen before. I was fortunate to hold my serve; had I been broken, the match might have turned out very differently.”
Your victory over Sampras in ‘96‘ was his only defeat in an eight-year stretch at Wimbledon. Did that enhance the significance of your win?
“Indeed, I guess I interrupted his Wimbledon streak. But without the title, the match itself would have been just another victory. Winning the tournament was paramount. When I defeated him, I knew I had to keep pushing for the title. Yet, feeling the pressure in the final was intense—especially after being 4-1 up with a double break in the third set, only to see it slip away. It was comforting to compete against someone with less experience in finals. Facing a seasoned champion would have been much more daunting.”
Can you recount your celebrations?
“Afterward, I vividly recall entering the locker room and spotting Mel Washington with his brother. While I was quietly rejoicing inside, I held back outward celebrations. I then treated myself to a holiday in Austria, enjoying some cycling.
“Back home, there were suggestions of a public carriage ride through The Hague, but I opted against it. I wanted to engage with kids through tennis instead. This inspiration led me to establish the Krajicek Foundation, aimed at supporting families with limited means to access sports. We’ve built 135 playgrounds and offer scholarships for aspiring sports teachers. The impact on many children’s lives has been profound.”
How does it feel to be the sole Dutch player to secure a Grand Slam?
“Honestly, not great. I hoped Kiki Bertens would follow suit. We may be a small country, but our talent is undeniable. I’m grateful to have achieved one title, though. Tennis ranks as the second most popular sport here, following football, with 600,000 members in the Dutch Federation. This year, we saw record attendance at the Rotterdam Open, reflecting the growing interest. I’m optimistic we’ll see another Dutch Grand Slam champion in the next 10 years.”
How do you find being the tournament director for the Rotterdam Open?
“I genuinely enjoy it! It’s been 22 years now. Traveling has never been my favorite, and this role keeps me connected to tennis while allowing me to be with my family. It’s not a full-time commitment, giving me a gratifying blend of tennis and business responsibilities. Ideally, I’d love to still be doing this at 80! Whether they’d still want me on board is another matter.”
Will you be attending Wimbledon this year?
“Absolutely! I adore returning to Wimbledon, although it’s been a while. I’m grateful for their invitation this time; I feared they might stop asking after my previous declines. I’ll be in the Royal Box during the first week with a friend and my wife for the finals.”
