( CNN ) -- On a small tennis court in the Netherlands , love took center-stage . It had all the ingredients of a romantic fairytale -- the nervous suitor down on one knee in front of a crowd of strangers , hoping that months of planning would win the heart of the girl of his dreams . `` I did n't cry once when I practiced it in front of the mirror , it was the nerves that kicked in when I went on the court , '' Martin Emmrich , a doubles specialist seeking to find his life partner , told CNN 's Open Court show . `` I was very afraid that I would n't find any words . '' The German had met his love at the same tournament 12 months earlier -- but apart from that , the venue did n't hold great memories for her . `` She fainted once on that court , had a knee injury on that court , '' Emmrich explains . Fast forward to June 2014 , and Michaella Krajicek had just won her opening match of the Topshelf Open , which hosts both men 's and women 's competitions , when Emmrich made his big move . To her surprise , Emmrich came onto the grass with a microphone in hand . `` I thought , 'Uh-oh it 's going to happen now , I ca n't believe it ! ' `` recalls the Dutchwoman , younger sister of former Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek . `` I was standing there sweaty and wrapped in a tournament towel ... It was really romantic . '' Five months of scheming , having involved the tournament 's director three days beforehand , finally paid off as Krajicek said `` Yes . '' `` I saw some players with tears in their eyes , '' Emmrich says . `` Everybody came up and said I have big balls . It 's a big step , and doing it on such a stage ... '' A wedding had been on their minds for a long time -- three months into the relationship , they were already talking about taking home the biggest trophy of their lives . By January of this year , Emmrich was already planning how he would propose to his partner . `` I wrote down three papers , corrected them all , practiced 30-40 times in the bathroom , '' he says . In a moment that Emmrich can only describe as `` magic , '' Krajicek took his hand , hugged him and said yes -- to the cheers of joy ringing down from the stands . Krajicek says she had `` no idea '' how Emmrich and his few accomplices managed to surprise her . They are partners both on and off the court , playing in mixed doubles competitions together . `` I go on court , I still love him obviously , but it 's business for me , '' says Krajicek . For Emmrich , who has won three men 's doubles titles with a highest world ranking of 35th last year , the chance to play with her adds another dimension to touring life . `` I totally enjoy it . I feel I am playing more free and easy than actual doubles , '' says the 29-year-old . Although their engagement was broadcast the world over , they are in no rush to get married , with their busy tennis schedules taking priority . Immediately after the tournament in Rosmalen they headed to Wimbledon , losing in the second round to a pairing that went on to win the title . `` There 's not too many weeks where we are both actually off , '' says Krajicek . The 25-year-old , who has won three singles titles on the WTA Tour and six in doubles , says she has plenty to achieve on-court before starting to think about having a family . A former junior world No . 1 -- she won the U.S. Open girls ' title in 2004 -- Krajicek is now ranked outside the top 200 after struggling with health problems in 2012-13 , but was as high as 30th at the end of her teenage years . She has recently had more success in doubles , reaching three WTA finals this year -- including Rosmalen . `` For now we just enjoy life and each other , and then everything else comes automatically , '' Emmrich says . Krajicek adds : `` We understand that it 's part of it and in five years we will enjoy each other for the rest of our lives , so it 's just the way it has to be . ''
Martin Emmrich proposed to his wife on court at Dutch tournament . Barbara Wagner was able to make a new comeback at Wimbledon where she had suffered in 1989 . The following are partners in mixed doubles competitions .