Dutchman Thijs Boogaard is as professional as they come. Most players at the Junior Championships, Wimbledon come straight to media after their match but Boogaard makes sure he goes through his full post-match routine before doing so – and that is to his great credit.

Part of his pre-match routine during the past few days, meanwhile, has been a hit with former world No. 4 and 1996 Wimbledon men’s singles champion Richard Krajicek and it seems to be working a treat.

Boogaard surged into the Wimbledon boys’ singles semi-finals after dispatching home favourite Oliver Page 6-3 6-1 to set up a last-four showdown with Australia’s Cruz Hewitt – son of Lleyton.

Perhaps there is added value attached to practising with Krajicek with this year marking the 30th anniversary since he conquered all before him to lift silverware in the men’s singles here at Wimbledon.

“It was amazing having a hit with Richard Krajicek,” said Boogaard. “He is an unbelievable tennis player and an unbelievable human being. I have hit with a few retired pros in the Netherlands, but this was another level.

“He hits the ball so cleanly and so hard even though he is 54 years of age and not playing tennis that often anymore. It was truly special for me to feel that and see that. I am really grateful for the opportunity to hit with him.

Honored to hit with the @Wimbledon champ! @RichardKrajicek pic.twitter.com/WrLYaDHvn9

— Thijs Boogaard (@ThijsBoogaard) July 8, 2026

“He has not given me any advice about winning Wimbledon yet, but he has given me some tips for how to play on the grass. He also said that he has full confidence in me, which gives me a good feeling.”

Boogaard is in a rich vein of form at the present time having claimed his first ATP main draw match-win at s-Hertogenbosch before winning his first pro title at M25 Lourinha – both in the past month.

“The past few weeks and months have been very good for me,” added Boogaard. “To get my first ATP Tour match-win was special and to play such an amazing match against Daniil [Medvedev] the match after was great for my confidence.

“A week later, to win my first professional title felt great. All that together has given me a lot of confidence and trust in myself, and I think that is showing this week.

“It really does feel great and it feels as though all the hard work is paying off, and everything I do is coming together. At the same time, you always want more. It feels like a step in the right direction, but we go from here I would say.”

Boogaard burst onto the scene in 2023 when, as a 14-year-old, he won six consecutive titles on the World Tennis Tour Juniors and became the youngest player in history to win a World Tennis J300 title – at San Jose.

Now 18, perhaps this is the time for Boogaard to make a finite mark on the Grand Slam stage. Reaching the semi-finals is the best performance of his career so far and, with the backing of Krajicek, the sky would seem the limit.

A full list of results from the 2026 Junior Championships, Wimbledon is available here