In 1996Richard Krajicek won the Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Singles title. You have 30Last year, he spoke with writer Jack Martin to reflect on that show and more.
That’s right 30 years since he won Wimbledon. What are your outstanding memories?
“I went out to Center Court in the finals and brought it in. I remember watching the final as a kid and it was always special to me to see the boy carrying the players’ bags. After winning the game, I don’t remember much. I held the trophy, I don’t really remember. I remember kneeling in court. I really didn’t know what to do. Everything was difficult. Maybe it was all emotions.
“A very special Slam to win. First time I’ve ever watched it. I remember Bjorn Borg winning it in the Seventies. So repeating him was unbelievable to me. I didn’t realize until afterwards that you become a member if you win at the All England Club. So I still go there every August to play. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.”
At first he struggled to play on the grass. What was the key to victory in 1996?
“The first year or two I didn’t do well on grass. I was hesitant to even go to Wimbledon that year. My movement was not good, especially my foot as a tall man. But each year it got better which helped me serve and win. I got a good draw in the first two rounds and I have to say that overnight’96 my backhand return was really open, especially against Michael Stich and Pete Sampras. I won big points against Sampras. It worked really well. I remember we had a break after the second set and had to come back the next day. I was watching Pat Cash on BBCToday at Wimbledon and he said he doesn’t know why Sampras is playing my backhand which shows how good it was that week.”
Why did you play so well with Sampras?
“I knew how to play him. His game matched mine. He had a clear weakness in the backhand pass and I liked to play serve and volley. I always felt he was being pressured to play harder and play against me because of his weakness in the backhand pass. In ‘96 at Wimbledon, he was playing very well in the first six or eight matches. It was a Sampras I had never seen before. I was lucky that I didn’t break. If he did, I probably would have lost in straight games.”
Your victory over the Sampras’96 it was his only defeat in eight years at Wimbledon. Did that make the win mean more to you?
“I know. I ruined his Wimbledon race I guess. No, except for the title, it would be a good win. Title is everything. When I beat him, I thought I should go on and win the tournament. But I felt more pressure in the finals, especially where I was 4-1 and a split in the third set and it was reversed. I was happy to play against someone who has no experience in the final. It would have been very difficult to face a serial Slam winner in the finals.”
Do you remember how you celebrated?
“I remember going to the locker room after that and seeing Mel Washington there with his brother. I didn’t want to celebrate loudly but I was dancing inside. I went to Austria on holiday and made a bike.
“Back home they wanted me to ride in a carriage through the city of The Hague but I didn’t want that. I wanted to play tennis with the kids. That’s how I got the inspiration to establish the Krajicek foundation to help parents who don’t have much money for sports. We built it 135 playgrounds now and provide scholarships for children to become sports teachers. We have changed the lives of many children.”
How does it feel to be the only Dutch person to win a Slam?
“Not that it’s good. I wish there was more. I was hoping Kiki Bertens would. We are a small country but we have talent. I’m happy to at least win one. Participation wise, tennis is the second largest sport after football. There is 600,000 members of the Dutch Federation. We had record crowds at the Rotterdam Open this year. So the interest is there. I hope we get another Slam winner in the next one 10years.”
How do you enjoy your role as tournament director of the Rotterdam Open?
“ I love it. It is now 22years of doing it. I’ve never liked traveling much. I’m still close to tennis but I’m still with my family. It is not full time. I get a lot of variety at work. He has a tennis side but also a business side which I enjoy. I wish I could keep doing it 80. But whether others will want me is another matter.”
Will he return to Wimbledon this year?
“Yes. I love going back to Wimbledon but I haven’t been for a long time. I’m glad I took up their invitation this time. I denied them and thought he might stop asking me. I will be in the Royal Box, with a friend in the first week and my wife in the final.”
