Richard Krajicek: the Dutch Wimbledon champion

On July 7, 1996, Richard Krajicek made history on the hallowed grass of Wimbledon . He defeated his American opponent MaliVali Washington in three sets in the final, becoming the first—and to date, only —Dutch man to win a Grand Slam singles title. It was a feat that instantly made Krajicek a tennis legend—especially in the Netherlands. How did Krajicek manage to get this far? Sjeng Sports compiles a player profile of the former tennis player, who has since also founded the Krajicek Foundation .  

Name: Richard Krajicek 
Date of Birth: December 6, 1971 
Nationality: Dutch 
Tennis hand: Right 
Highest ATP ranking: 4 (1999)  

Richard Krajicek was born in Rotterdam and grew up in a sporty family. He was introduced to tennis at a young age, partly through his father, Petr. It quickly became clear that Krajicek possessed considerable talent, and thanks to his hard serve and powerful playing style—he was known for frequently hitting service volleys—he quickly distinguished himself from his peers. His breakthrough at the junior level already hinted that he might have a bright future ahead of him in professional tennis.  

One of the most successful Dutch tennis players ever  

Krajicek entered the professional circuit in 1989 and became one of the most successful Dutch tennis players ever in the 1990s. His playing style, a phenomenal serve and attacking volley, proved particularly effective on fast surfaces like grass and hard courts. It was therefore no wonder that he won his first—and only—Grand Slam title at Wimbledon. Besides his victory over Washington in the final of that tournament, his victory against Pete Sampras was particularly noteworthy. The American was considered unbeatable on the London grass, and the fact that Krajicek defeated him in three sets in the quarterfinals raised many eyebrows in the tennis world.  

The Wimbledon title, however, was far from the only ATP title Krajicek won during his career. He also won two titles on the grass courts of Rosmalen, was twice the champion at the ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam, and also won major tournaments in Los Angeles, Tokyo, and on the clay courts of Barcelona. In total, he won no fewer than seventeen ATP titles, while also losing nine finals at the highest level. In 1999, he reached number four in the world rankings, which ultimately became his highest position during his career.  

End of professional career, partly due to injuries  

However, success also had a downside. Injuries played an increasingly significant role in his career, and knee problems and other physical setbacks prevented him from reaching his full potential for an extended period. In the early 2000s, Krajicek began missing increasing portions of the season, and partly as a result, he was no longer able to reach his previous level. In 2003, he therefore decided to end his professional career. Despite his relatively early retirement, his Wimbledon title remains an indelible memory in Dutch sports history, and Krajicek remained closely involved with the sport after his retirement.  

Tournament Director and Krajicek Foundation  

After his active tennis career, Krajicek became tournament director of the ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam, a prestigious tournament that annually attracts the biggest names in tennis. He also founded the Krajicek Foundation, an organization that supports young people in disadvantaged neighborhoods by providing sports facilities and activities. Krajicek also remained in the spotlight on a personal level: he married Daphne Deckers, a former model and author, and had two children with her. Alec Deckers, Krajicek's son, plays tennis at a high level like his father, but has not yet been able to match Krajicek's successes.