Richard
Krajicek
Male
Netherlands
1971-12-06
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Krajicek is a Dutch former professional tennis player. In 1996 he won the Men's Singles title at Wimbledon, the only Dutch player to have done so. In the quarter-finals of that tournament he defeated Pete Sampras.
This was Sampras's only singles defeat at Wimbledon between 1993 and 2000.
Since 2004 Krajicek has been the tournament director of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam. He is also the author of various sports books. Krajicek reached a career-high singles ranking of World No. 4 in March 1999.
Richard Krajicek is the son of Czech immigrants. In 1999, Krajicek married model, writer and hostess of Holland's Next Top Model and Benelux' Next Top Model, Daphne Deckers(married July 7, 1999)
She played a part in the James Bond movie "Tomorrow Never Dies" in 1997.
The couple have one daughter, Emma (born Mar. 26, 1998) and one son, Alec (born May 2, 2000).
Nicknamed "de Kraai" (Dutch for "the crow") in his home country, Krajicek has, among his siblings, half-sister Michaëlla Krajicek who also is a professional tennis player.
Richard Krajicek began playing tennis at the age of four. As a youngster he won both the Dutch under-12 and the under-14 National Championships twice. He turned professional in 1989, and in 1991 won his first top-level singles title at Hong Kong, and his first tour doubles title in Hilversum.
At age 12, decided to switch from a two-handed backhand to a one-handed backhand. Coached by Australian Rohan Goetzke, whole career since junior. Who is now technical director of the Dutch Tennis Federation.
In 1992, the 1.96 m (6' 5") Dutchman reached his first Grand Slam semifinal at the Australian Open. He had to withdraw from this semifinal match due to a shoulder injury. The following year, he reached the semifinals at the French Open, where he lost in four sets to the defending champion Jim Courier.
Also in 1992, Krajicek made a controversial comment regarding equal pay for women in Grand Slam events, saying, "80 percent of the top 100 women are fat pigs who don't deserve equal pay." Later, he jokingly clarified his comments, remarking, "What I meant to say was that only 75 percent are fat pigs."Krajicek later showed remorse for the comment.
Coming to Wimbledon in 1996, Krajicek had never previously progressed beyond the fourth round, and had lost in the first round in the two previous years. He was seen a player with potential, having one of the fastest serves at the time, but was not considered to be a strong contender for the title. The clear favourite was Pete Sampras, who had won the title for the past three consecutive years. Despite being ranked within the world's top 16, Krajicek just missed out on the seedings for the tournament, but when seventh seed (and world number two) Thomas Muster pulled out shortly before the tournament due to an injury, Krajicek was given Muster's place in the draw.
He beat former champion Michael Stich in the fourth round, and met Sampras in the quarterfinals. By that time, he had managed to turn his notably weak slice backhand into an aggressive top-spin shot. Krajicek shocked the tennis world by defeating Sampras in straight sets and becoming the only player to beat Sampras in a Wimbledon singles match in the eight-year period from 1993 until Sampras' fourth-round loss to Roger Federer in the 2001 tournament.
Next, he beat Australia's Jason Stoltenberg in the semifinals, and went on to face American MaliVai Washington in the final. He won the final in straight sets to become the first Dutchman to win Wimbledon.
In 1998, Krajicek was in the Wimbledon semifinals again, where he lost to Goran Ivanišević in a marathon match, 3-6, 4-6, 7-5, 7-6, 13-15, with both players serving a combined 38 aces. His final attempt at winning a second Wimbledon title was in 2002, when he lost in the quarterfinals to Xavier Malisse.
In September 1999, Nike dedicated its new European headquarters in Hilversum and the Dutchman was one of four athletes to have an office building named after him.
In February 1999, as part of celebration for Royal Dutch Tennis Association centenary, the Dutch Postal system released a stamp featuring the '96 Wimbledon champion
At the 1999 U.S. Open, Krajicek lost a quarterfinal matchup to Yevgeny Kafelnikov. Despite the loss, Krajicek set several most aces records that day.
In the 2000 U.S. Open, Krajicek met Sampras in the quarterfinals, winning the first set and being up 6-2 during the second set tiebreaker but then went on to lose six straight points and eventually lost the match. In 2000, Krajicek was awarded the ATP Arthur Ashe Humanitarian award for his efforts to help youth in his home country. He was named ATP Comeback Player of the Year in 2002.
Krajicek retired from the professional tour in 2003. During his career, he won 17 singles titles and 3 doubles titles. His career-high singles ranking was world no. 4 in 1999. Krajicek's Wimbledon victory over Sampras proved to be no fluke, amassing a 6–4 record against the American player.
Since retiring from the ATP circuit, Krajicek runs The Richard Krajicek Foundation which builds sports facilities for children in inner-city areas in the Netherlands.
In 2004 Krajicek became the tournament director of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam.
In 2005, he published a book on tennis called 'Fast Balls' (Dutch: 'Harde Ballen')
1991 - 2002
2
89
63
1996 - Wimbledon (Grandslam)
1991 - Hong Kong Open (Grand Prix Circuit)
Round 4
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Mark Anthony Philippoussis
6-7(2)
7-6(4)
6-7(1)
7-6(5)
6-4
Quarterfinals
Xavier Malisse 1 *
Richard Krajicek
6-1
4-6
6-2
3-6
9-7
Round 1
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Michael Kohlmann
3-6
6-1
6-4
7-6(3)
Round 2
Wayne Richard Ferreira 1 *
Richard Krajicek
5-7
6-3
6-3
7-6(3)
Round 1
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Olivier Rochus
6-7(1)
6-1
6-1
6-4
Round 2
Richard Krajicek 1 *
André Rezende Sa
6-4
6-4
6-1
Round 3
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Timothy Henry (Tim) Henman
6-4
3-6
4-6
7-5
7-5
Round 4
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Dominik Hrbaty
7-6(11)
6-4
6-1
Quarterfinals
Pete Sampras 1 *
Richard Krajicek
4-6
7-6(6)
6-4
6-2
Round 1
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Christian Ruud
6-2
6-3
6-1
Round 2
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Todd Andrew Woodbridge
7-5
6-4
6-4
Round 3
Lorenzo Manta 1 *
Richard Krajicek
6-3
7-6(5)
4-6
4-6
6-4
Round 4
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Vincent Spadea
6-2
7-6(3)
6-2
Quarterfinals
Yevgenni Kafelnikov 1 *
Richard Krajicek
7-6(0)
7-6(4)
3-6
1-6
7-6(5)
Quarterfinals
Gustavo Kuerten 1 *
Richard Krajicek
6-4
6-4
Round 1
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Brett Steven
6-3
7-6(9)
4-6
6-2
Round 2
Richard Krajicek 1 *
DInu-Mihai Pescariu
6-1
6-3
6-2
Round 3
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Nicholas Kiefer
6-4
7-6(2)
7-6(4)
Round 4
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Wayne Richard Ferreira
6-3
6-3
7-5
Quarterfinals
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Davide Sanguinetti
6-2
6-3
6-4
Semifinals
Goran Simun Ivanisevic 1 *
Richard Krajicek
6-3
6-4
5-7
6-7(5)
15-13
Quarterfinals
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Yevgenni Kafelnikov
6-4
6-4
Semifinals
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Andre Kirk Agassi
4-6
7-5
6-2
Final
Patrick Michael Rafter 1 *
Richard Krajicek
7-6(3)
6-4
Round 1
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Marcelo Craca
7-6(5)
6-2
6-4
Round 2
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Andrei Pavel
3-6
6-4
6-7(4)
6-3
6-3
Round 3
Richard Krajicek 1 *
David Rikl
6-4
6-3
7-5
Round 4
Timothy Henry (Tim) Henman 1 *
Richard Krajicek
7-6(7)
6-7(7)
7-6(5)
6-4
Round 4
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Félix Mantilla Botella
7-5
6-3
6-4
Quarterfinals
Greg Rusedski 1 *
Richard Krajicek
7-5
7-6(5)
7-6(6)
Quarterfinals
Michael Chang 1 *
Richard Krajicek
7-6(5)
6-4
Round 1
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Javier Sanchez
6-4
6-3
6-4
Round 2
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Derrick Rostagno
6-4
6-3
6-3
Round 3
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Brett Steven
7-6(5)
6-7(5)
6-4
6-2
Round 4
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Michael Detlef Stich
6-4
7-6(5)
6-4
Quarterfinals
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Pete Sampras
7-5
7-6(3)
6-4
Semifinals
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Jason Robert Stoltenberg
7-5
6-2
6-1
Final
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Malivai Onyeaka Washington
6-3
6-4
6-3
Round 4
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Jonas Lars Björkman
6-3
6-2
6-4
Quarterfinals
Yevgenni Kafelnikov 1 *
Richard Krajicek
6-3
6-4
6-7(4)
6-2
Round 1
Byron Shelton 1 *
Richard Krajicek
7-6(2)
6-3
6-3
Round 1
Darren Cahill 1 *
Richard Krajicek
6-3
6-2
5-7
7-6
Round 1
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Lars Anders Wahlgren
6-1
6-2
6-1
Round 2
Todd Witsken 1 *
Richard Krajicek
6-4
1-6
6-1
6-4
Round 1
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Lars Johan Nicklas Kulti
6-4
6-3
6-4
Round 2
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Jacco Folkert Eltingh
6-4
6-4
6-4
Round 3
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Laurence Tieleman
6-2
7-5
5-7
6-2
Round 4
Andre Kirk Agassi 1 *
Richard Krajicek
7-5
7-6
7-6
Round 1
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Christian Bergstrom
7-5
6-3
7-5
Round 2
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Marc Rosset
6-2
6-3
6-1
Round 3
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Jordi Arrese
2-6
6-2
6-2
6-7
6-2
Round 4
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Carlos Costa
7-5
3-6
6-3
5-7
10-8
Quarterfinals
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Karel Novacek
3-6
6-3
3-6
6-3
6-4
Semifinals
James Spencer (Jim) Courier 1 *
Richard Krajicek
6-1
6-7
7-5
6-2
Round 1
Richard Krajicek 1 *
David Rikl
6-3
6-3
6-1
Round 2
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Alberto Berasategui
6-1
6-2
6-4
Round 3
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Todd Christopher Martin
6-7(4)
4-6
7-6(9)
6-4
6-4
Round 4
Andriy Olegovych Medvedev 1 *
Richard Krajicek
6-4
3-6
6-1
7-6(4)
Round 1
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Christian Saceanu
6-3
6-3
6-3
Round 2
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Jim Grabb
6-2
7-6(2)
6-1
Round 3
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Michael Chang
6-4
6-1
5-7
1-6
6-3
Round 4
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Christian Bergstrom
7-5
7-6(6)
6-3
Quarterfinals
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Michael Detlef Stich
5-7
7-6(2)
6-7(1)
6-4
6-4
Semifinals
James Spencer (Jim) Courier 1 *
Richard Krajicek
w.o.
Round 1
Richard Krajicek 1 *
John-Laffnie De Jager
7-5
6-1
6-2
Round 2
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Paul Vincent Haarhuis
7-6(6)
6-3
6-1
Round 3
Arnaud Boetsch 1 *
Richard Krajicek
4-6
7-6(6)
3-6
7-6(5)
6-2
Round 1
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Francisco Clavet
7-6
6-7
6-3
7-6
Round 2
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Magnus Gustafsson
6-3
6-4
4-6
6-1
Round 3
Diego Perez 1 *
Richard Krajicek
6-4
6-1
6-1
Round 1
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Francisco Clavet
7-6
6-7
6-3
6-4
Round 2
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Gabriel Markus
4-6
2-6
7-6
6-3
6-1
Round 3
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Mark Woodforde
6-1
6-3
6-2
Round 4
Stefan Edberg 1 *
Richard Krajicek
6-4
6-7
6-3
3-6
6-4
Round 1
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Fabrice Vetea Santoro
2-6
6-1
6-2
6-3
Round 2
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Petr Korda
4-6
7-6(3)
6-3
6-4
Round 3
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Darren Cahill
6-7(5)
6-3
6-3
7-6(4)
Round 4
Cristiano Caratti 1 *
Richard Krajicek
6-3
6-4
6-7(4)
3-6
6-4
Round 1
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Maurice Ruah
5-7
6-1
3-6
6-3
6-4
Round 2
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Magnus Larsson
6-3
6-4
6-3
Round 3
Andre Kirk Agassi 1 *
Richard Krajicek
7-6
6-3
7-6
Round 1
Richard Krajicek 1 *
José Francisco Altur
6-0
6-4
6-1
Round 2
Michael Detlef Stich 1 *
Richard Krajicek
6-7
7-6
6-3
6-2
Round 1
Ivan Lendl 1 *
Richard Krajicek
3-6
2-6
6-4
7-6(5)
6-0
Round 1
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Neil Borwick
6-4
6-7
6-3
Round 2
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Eduardo Masso
6-1
6-4
Quarterfinals
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Patrick Kurt Kuhnen
7-6
2-6
6-1
Semifinals
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Gary Muller
6-2
6-4
Final
Richard Krajicek 1 *
Wally Masur
6-2
3-6
6-3