1996 Wimbledon Championships – Men's Singles 1996 Wimbledon Championships – Men's Singles Pete Sampras was the three-time defending champion but lost in the quarterfinals to Richard Krajicek, in his only loss at Wimbledon between 1993 and 2000. 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. Krajicek had originally been unseeded, but as the 17th ranked player in the Wimbledon seedings he replaced 7th seed Thomas Muster in the draw, when Muster withdrew shortly before the start of the tournament. A number of high-seeded men were eliminated early, including 1992 champion Andre Agassi
Andre Agassi first Grand Slam title. The intensity of the rivalry peaked in 1995. Becker won that year's Wimbledon semifinal after being down a set and two breaks, to eventually win in four sets. In a highly anticipated rematch in the US Open semifinal, this time it was Agassi who came out victorious in four tight sets. Their final match was played at Hong Kong in 1999, which Agassi won in three sets. Agassi and Pat Rafter played fifteen times with Agassi leading 10–5. The rivalry has been considered special and delivered memorable encounters, because of the players' contrasting styles of play,