Richard Krajicek exclusive – Why his Wimbledon win in 1996 is still reaping rewards

More than a quarter of a century has passed since Richard Krajicek won the Wimbledon title, but he has told Tennis365 that the rewards for his success are continuing to flow.
Krajicek beat MaliVai Washington in straight sets to win the 1996 Wimbledon title, after a run that included a big win against world No.1 Pete Sampras in the quarter-finals.
Now the Dutchman has told Tennis365 that the Wimbledon membership his triumph guaranteed give him an enduring memory of the greatest tournament of his career.
“The nice thing is, I became a member of Wimbledon when I won,” speaking to us in his role as tournament director of the annual ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam.
“So after the tournament is done every year, I can play on the grass courts. Almost every year I go to Wimbledon with a couple of friends to play on the grass and we have a nice lunch, which is almost as special as winning the tournament, to be honest.
“I look back at my career and there are some moments that I wish I could have again. I had chances to reach more Grand Slam finals and win other tournaments, but I won one Grand Slam and even when you are 50-years-old like me, it is great to have won that one Grand Slam.”
Krajicek believes the organisation behind Wimbledon helped to make the tournament special, as he admitted his experience attending the tennis event at the All England Club during the 2012 Olympic Games lacked some sparkle.
“When you go to Wimbledon and it is the most special feeling,” he reflected. “Then I went to Wimbledon when it was the Olympics and it lost so much.
“It is magical when you are there for Wimbledon. You feel the history of tennis. You feel everything when you come to Wimbledon.
“When I went for the Olympics, it was nice, but it was almost like a regular event.
“So it is not just the real estate at Wimbledon, but how they do everything. The green backdrop with the Slazenger logo. All the little things you don’t notice make it special when you play the tournament.”
Krajicek remains the only Dutch player to win a Grand Slam title, achieving a career-high ranking of No 4 in 1999.
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Cincinnati TV and streaming: When are Daniil Medvedev, Carlos Alcaraz, Cameron Norrie playing?
This way for your projected start times for Thursday’s Western & Southern Open action.
-
Tennis News
Rafael Nadal philosophical after Cincinnati defeat: ‘You lose. You move forward. I know the way’
Rafael Nadal knows the way.
-
ATP Tour
Andy Murray highlights ‘big concern’ ahead of US Open: ‘I need to try and understand what’s going on’
Andy Murray yet to find a solution to his cramping problem.
-
WTA Tour
Iga Swiatek wants to ‘be fearless again’ as she bounces back while Ons Jabeur ‘wins ugly’
Iga Swiatek and Ons Jabeur back to winning ways.
-
ATP Tour
Rafael Nadal stunned by former world No 12 Borna Coric in Cincinnati: ‘I won, it’s kind of crazy’
Delight for Borna Coric as he upsets Rafael Nadal in Cincy.
-
WTA Tour
Exclusive – Tim Henman backing Emma Raducanu after her stunning return to form
Tim Henman has told Tennis365 that Emma Raducanu will stun the sporting world once again
-
WTA Tour
Emma Raducanu blows past former World No 1 to reach last 16 in Cincy
Emma Raducanu was clearly the better player as she claimed her first win over a top 20 player since her US Open title run.
-
ATP Tour
Andy Murray hit by cramps again Cameron Norrie scrapes battle of the Brits
Andy Murray claimed the opening set but Cameron Norrie saved nine break points and downed the former World No 1.
-
US Open
US Open wildcards: Venus Williams and Dominic Thiem handed slots
Williams, who won at Flushing Meadows in 2000 and 2001, will compete at the age of 42.
-
ATP Tour
ATP Race to Turin: How things stand as tour rolls into Cincy
The ATP Race to Turin is getting tight.