In 1996, Richard Krajicek won the Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Singles title. On the 30th anniversay, he spoke with writer Jack Martin to reflect on that run and more.
It’s 30 years since you won Wimbledon. What are your standout memories?
“Walking out onto Centre Court for the final and taking it in. I remember watching the final as a kid and it was always special to me to see the guy carrying out the players’ bags. After winning the match, I don’t recall much. Holding the trophy, I can’t really remember. I remember I went on my knees on the court. I didn’t really know what to do. It was all a bit awkward. Maybe it was all the emotions.
“It’s the most special Slam to win. The first I ever watched. I remember Bjorn Borg winning it in the Seventies. So to replicate him was unbelievable to me. I didn’t realise until afterwards that you become a member when you win at the All England Club. So I still go there every August to play. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.”
You initially struggled to play on grass. What was the key to the victory in 1996?
“The first one or two years I really didn’t perform well on the grass. I was doubting to even go to Wimbledon that year. My movement wasn’t good, especially my footing as a tall man. But each year it got better which helped my serve and volleying. I got a good draw in the first two rounds and I must say that fortnight in ‘96 my backhand return was really on, 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 we had to come back the next day. I was watching Pat Cash on BBC’s Today at Wimbledon and he said he didn’t know why Sampras was playing to my backhand which shows how good it was that week.”
Why did you play so well against Sampras?
“I knew how to play him. His game suited mine. He had a clear weak point on the backhand pass and I liked to play serve and volley. I always felt he was pressured to play more serve and volleying against me because of his weakness on the backhand pass. In ‘96 at Wimbledon, he was playing so well in the first six or eight games. It was a Sampras I’d never seen before. I was lucky to not get broken. If he did, maybe I would have lost in straight games.”
Your victory over Sampras in ‘96 was the only defeat he suffered in an eight year spell at Wimbledon. Did that make the triumph mean more to you?
“I know. I ruined his Wimbledon run I guess. No, without a title, it would just be a good win. The title is everything. When I beat him, I did think I had to go on and win the tournament. But I felt more pressure in the final, especially when I was 4-1 and a double break up in the third set and got pulled back. I was happy that I played against someone who didn’t have much experience in finals. It would have been a lot harder to face a serial Slam winner in the final.”
Can you remember how you celebrated?
“I remember I went to the locker room afterwards and I saw Mel Washington was there with his brother. I didn’t want to celebrate out loud but I was dancing inside. I went to Austria on holiday and did some cycling.
“Back home they wanted me to get on a carriage through the town of The Hague but I didn’t want that. I just wanted to play some tennis with kids. That’s how I got inspired to set up the Krajicek foundation to help parents who don’t have a lot of money for sports. We’ve build 135 playgrounds now and give scholarships for kids to become sports teachers. We’ve changed the life of many kids.”
How does it feel to be the only Dutch person to win a Slam?
“Not that good. I wish there was more. I was hoping Kiki Bertens would do it. We’re a small country but we do have talent. I’m happy at least I won one. Participation wise, tennis is the second biggest sport after football. There’s 600,000 members of the Dutch Federation. We had record crowds at the Rotterdam Open this year. So the interest is there. Hopefully we get another Slam winner in the next 10 years.”
How do you enjoy your role as Rotterdam Open tournament director?
“I love it. It’s now 22 years doing it. I never liked traveling too much. I’m close to tennis still but I’m still with my family. It’s not a full-time. I get a lot of variation in the job. You have the tennis side but also the business side which I enjoy. I would love to be still doing it at 80. But whether others would want me still is another story.”
Will you be going back to Wimbledon this year?
“Yes. I love going back to Wimbledon but haven’t been for a while. I’m glad I took their invitation this time. I’ve turned them down before and thought they might stop asking me. I will be in the Royal Box, with a friend the first week and my wife for the finals.”