Budkov Kjaer becomes first Norwegian to reach Wimbledon singles semi
Remember the name. Nicolai Budkov Kjaer has made history by becoming the first Norwegian player – across pros and juniors – to reach a singles semi-final at Wimbledon.
He did so by dispatching Czechia’s Maxim Mrva, a player who had beaten him twice already this season – including last week at J300 Roehampton – 7-6(2) 6-4 to reach his second Junior Grand Slam semi.
He also reached the last four at the Australian Open in January where he lost to eventual champion Rei Sakamoto of Japan, and there are lessons the 17-year-old can take from that setback.
Budkov Kjaer, who travelled with the Grand Slam Player Development Programme/ITF Touring Team last year, has since claimed two ITF World Tennis Tour titles, proving he can mix it within the professional ranks.
He is a young man with significant talent and even bigger ambitions, which go beyond junior tennis. However, leaving London with a shiny new trophy would certainly not go amiss.
“Wimbledon semi-finalist sounds surreal,” Budkov Kjaer, who will play Japan’s Naoya Honda for a place in the final, told itftennis.com. “It is extremely big for me, and I am extremely proud to be in the semi-finals.
“There was a big celebration from me at the end and that reflects the fact that it’s big for me to get to the semis and also that he [Mrva] has beaten me a few times. I have never even got a set off him before.
“It’s a relief to go through but I am now hoping to go deeper. It is a big accomplishment, but I want to go deeper. I also reached the semi-finals in Australia which was a great moment but, like I say, I want to go further.
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“I know how to play a semi-final now. I know what to expect and I can learn from the pressure of that, try to keep my emotions calm and be confident with my game. I know I have a big game.
“I am really loving it here. It is my favourite Grand Slam and I love the atmosphere. The strawberries are great also. It is my favourite time of year, and I am living my best life.”
Following a similar path is Mees Rottgering of Netherlands, who was still seething about his nation's elimination from Euro 2024, questioning – like most Dutch people – the validity of the England penalty.
That aside, he today became the first Dutch boy since Thiemo De Bakker in 2006 to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals. De Bakker is the only Dutch boy to top a Junior Grand Slam podium.
Rottgering will now face France’s Theo Papamalamis for a place in the final after defeating junior world No. 1 and boys’ top seed Kaylan Bigun of the United States 7-6(3) 6-3.
Like Budkov Kjaer, the 17-year-old also reached the semi-finals at the Australian Open Junior Championships in January, where he succumbed to Czechia’s Jan Kumstat. Similarly, Rottgering is hoping to have learned lessons.
“Wimbledon semi-finalist sounds really good – I wasn’t expecting it,” he told itftennis.com. “History keeps on coming.
“I am pretty nervous about tomorrow as I got the semi-finals in Australia but didn’t play very well. I hope I can play better. I am nervous but excited also.”