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King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands awards Dutch former tennis ace with rare honour King Willem-Alexander awards the Order of the House of Orange to tennis ace READ MORE: King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and his glamorous wife put on a loved-up display as they tour the Big Apple By Monique Rubins For Mailonline Published: 21:33 BST, 17 June 2024 | Updated: 21:41 BST, 17 June 2024 e-mail 1 View comments King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands awarded a Dutch former tennis ace the Order of the House of Orange during a small ceremony in The Hague on Monday, as a radiant Queen Máxima looked on. The Dutch King, 57, placed the orange coloured medal attached to a wide orange ribbon around the neck of former professional tennis player Richard Krajicek, 52, at Noordeinde Palace, the royal residence used for official receptions. The honour is reserved for those who have made a significant mark on Dutch society.

The only Dutch male player to have won a major singles title, Krajicek triumphed at Wimbledon in 1996 after famously knocking out Pete Sampras in the quarterfinals. In 1997, the former tennis player launched the Krajicek Foundation to help children in deprived areas of the Netherlands establish an active and healthy lifestyle and develop confidence through playing sports. King Willem-Alexander (left) of the Netherlands awarded Dutch former tennis player Richard Krajicek (centre) the Order of the House of Orange on Monday, as Queen Máxima (right) looked on The o.



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