Richard Krajicek is a former Wimbledon winner and has been the tournament director of the ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam for over 20 years. He demonstrates how top sports principles like focus, discipline, and resilience are directly applicable in both sports and business.
Success is never achieved alone. Talent opens doors, but character, discipline, and opportunities determine how far you go
Richard Krajicek is among the greatest sports icons that the Netherlands has produced. As the winner of the prestigious Wimbledon Championships, he made history as the first and to date only Dutch tennis player to win the singles title at Wimbledon. His impressive sports career, combined with his social involvement and entrepreneurial vision, make him an inspiring speaker on top sports, leadership, talent development, and social impact.
Richard rose to become one of the absolute world leaders in international tennis. In 1999, he reached the fourth place in the world rankings, won seventeen ATP titles, and during his career defeated many of the greatest players of his generation. His victory over Pete Sampras during Wimbledon 1996 is still considered one of the most memorable moments in Dutch sports history.
After his active sports career, Richard focused his energy on a new mission: creating opportunities for children and young people. As the founder of the Krajicek Foundation, he has been committed for years to providing safe sports and play facilities in neighborhoods where sports participation is not a given. The foundation has realized hundreds of sports fields and reaches thousands of young people annually.
In addition, Richard has held various managerial and organizational roles within the international sports world. For many years, he was the tournament director of the ABN AMRO Open, where he was responsible for the further development of one of Europe’s most renowned indoor tennis tournaments.
It’s not about winning but about overcoming
Sports and business: they may seem like two different worlds. One with stadiums and scoreboards, the other with spreadsheets and shareholder meetings. But if you look beneath the surface? You see that both worlds run on the same fuel: high pressure, performance, preparation, perseverance. And an unwavering belief in one’s own abilities. The story of a former top athlete who has learned that it’s not about winning, but about overcoming.