Richard Krajicek
Richard began playing tennis at the age of four, and after several successful years on the junior circuit, he turned professional in 1989. By 1991, he had won his first top-level singles title in Hong Kong, and his first tour doubles title in Hilversum. He signalled his potential to threaten the very best when he reached the Australian Open semifinals in 1992, but a shoulder injury forced him to withdraw.
Nicknamed 'Crackerjack' for his awesomely powerful serve, a wingspan that covered the court from netpost to netpost, and a desire to get to the net, Krajicek took years to become comfortable on grass. Coming into Wimbledon in 1996, he had never previously progressed beyond the fourth round, and had lost in the first round in the two previous years. But, in '96, it all clicked. In the quarter finals, he shocked the tennis world by defeating Pete Sampras in straight sets, becoming the only player to beat Sampras in a Wimbledon singles match in the eight-year period from 1993 until 2001. He went on to beat American Malivai Washington in straight sets in the final to become the first Dutchman to win Wimbledon.
Krajicek's victory over Sampras proved to be no fluke. He amassed a 6–4 record against the American player. In 1998, Krajicek reached the Wimbledon semifinals again, where he lost to Goran Ivanisevic in a marathon five set match. His final attempt at winning a second Wimbledon title was in 2002, when he lost in the quarterfinals to Xavier Malisse.
In 2000, he was awarded the ATP Arthur Ashe Humanitarian award for his efforts to help youth in his home country, and in 2002 he was named the ATP Comeback Player of the Year.
Since retiring from the ATP circuit in 2003, RIchard has set up The Richard Krajicek Foundation which builds sports facilities for children in Holland's inner-city areas. In 2004, he also became the tournament director of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam.
