In an interview with Dutch magazine Sportweek, Michaella Krajicek acknowledges that that she has a relationship with her fitness coach, Allistair McCaw, and is now estranged from her family.
The former Wimbledon quarterfinalist moved, with the 36-year-old McCaw, to the Nick Bollettieri academy in Florida during the off-season.
“For a year, my relationship with Allistair is not just professional anymore,” said Krajicek. “We're seeing each other. I'm not ashamed about it, but it’s something private. My parents want me to leave the U.S. They don't accept Allistair. The bond with my parents hasn’t been the same ever since my father (and ex-coach Petr) stopped traveling with me. However, since I've been seeing Allistair, it’s been terrible. They don't accept our relationship. They can’t deal with the fact I’m 21 years old and living my own life. They still see me as a little girl. Whenever I’m in touch with them, it’s always negative.”
Krajicek, a former junior No. 1 and the half-sister of 1996 Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek, said that once her father stopped traveling with her in 2008, her game plunged. (She reached a career-high ranking of No. 30 in 2008; she’s now No. 140.)
“Up until today I’ve never felt that same secure feeling from 2007 and before. I may not ever get it back. You know what hurts? Not my poor results on the tennis court, but that my parents see me as a tennis player first, and a daughter second. I haven’t been that happy, cheerful girl from the past for some time now.”
Krajicek also said that her relationship with Richard has deteriorated to the point where they haven’t spoken in a year and a half.
“Richard once said something about me to the media. I asked him not to do so again and he has respected that. However, we haven't been in touch anymore since. Maybe because he and my father are very close these days.”
Krajicek also lashed out at Dutch Fed Cup coach Manon Bollegraf, who suggested the relationship to the press and said Krajicek is hoping to play Fed Cup next year under a different captain.
“I will definitely not quit tennis. It's my goal to get back to around the Top 30.”—M.C.