1996 Wimbledon Championships – Men's singles

Richard Krajicek defeated MaliVai Washington in the final, 6–3, 6–4, 6–3 to win the gentlemen's singles tennis title at the 1996 Wimbledon Championships.^[1] It was his first and only major singles title. Krajicek notably became the first Dutch singles champion in the tournament's history. Krajicek was originally unseeded, but replaced seventh seed Thomas Muster in the draw when Muster withdrew from the tournament. Washington was the first Black major finalist since Yannick Noah at the 1983 French Open, and the first at Wimbledon since Arthur Ashe in 1975.

Champion Richard Krajicek

Runner-up MaliVai Washington

Score6–3, 6–4, 6–3

Draw128 (16Q / 8WC)

Quick facts Men's singles, Final ...

Men's singles
1996 Wimbledon Championships
Final
Champion	Richard Krajicek
Runner-up	MaliVai Washington
Score	6–3, 6–4, 6–3
Details
Draw	128 (16Q / 8WC)
Seeds	16
Events
Singles men women boys girls Doubles men women mixed boys girls WC Singles men women quad WC Doubles men women quad Legends men women seniors
← 1995 · Wimbledon Championships · 1997 →

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Pete Sampras was the three-time defending champion, but was defeated by Krajicek in the quarterfinals. It would be his only loss at Wimbledon between 1993 and 2000. For the first time since the 1990 French Open, none of the four semifinalists at a major had previously won a major title. Of the four, only Todd Martin had reached a major final before. An unusual number of top seeds were eliminated early, including 1992 champion Andre Agassi (No. 3), reigning French Open champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov (No. 5), Michael Chang (No. 6), and 1993 finalist Jim Courier (No. 9): all in the first round. Three-time champion Boris Becker, seeded second, was eliminated in the third round when he withdrew with a wrist injury.

The final become infamous by a female streaker, who ran across the net wearing just an apron, during the pre game photo. The streaker was held until the final finished and she was released and fined 200£. Years later she was quoted "When the players came out I thought, 'It's now or never', so I just did it. I am a bit of a naughty girl, and I definitely have a wild streak in me. I knew it had never been done before – and it had to be done, really, didn't it". The stunt caused world headlines and Washington said in an interview "I look over and see this streaker. She lifted up the apron, and she was smiling at me. I got flustered and three sets later I was gone, that was pretty funny." The Wimbledon club released a humorous formal statement after the final: "Whilst we do not wish to condone the practice, it did at least provide some light amusement for our loyal and patient supporters, who have had a trying time during the recent bad weather". Years later, Krajicek was asked what his memory of the final was, he said "I remember when we were at the net taking the photos and the streaker came by, that was interesting, I didn't expect that start".