Martin Verkerk: Biography of a former ATP professional and Roland Garros finalist

How it all began

Martin Verkerk was born on October 31 1978. He started playing tennis at the age of 7 by “Nieuwe Sloot” in Alphen aan de Rijn. His talent was soon discovered, giving him the opportunity to train with better tennis players in his neighbourhood. In 1995 he made the change to professional tennis after winning the “Indoor and Outdoor National Titles for players up to/including 18 years of age”.

Way to the top

From 1996, Martin’s journey to the top was a long and difficult one, playing future- and challenger tournaments. During  this period his father supported him financially. In 2003 he won the ATP tournament in Milan, reaching in the same year an extraordinary high level at Roland GARROS. Martin played in the final against Juan Carlos Ferrero, who was ultimately the stronger player.

Top performances

On his road to the final, Verkerk defeated gravel specialists such as Carlos Moya and Guillermo Coria. After achieving his place in the final, Martin respectfully gave his father a large part of his prize money, as thanks for the chance he had given him to reach the top. Next year Martin won the Dutch Open ATP tournament in Amersfoort, defeating Fernando Gonzalez in the final. Shortly after his top performances, Verkerk sustained an injury causing him to miss the Olympic Games of 2004 in Athenes.

Comeback

In 2006 Verkerk was once more able to play tennis, free of pain. After a few years of working hard on his physical and tennis level, he once again started to be successful in 2008. Next to winning a few futures, he also won the challenger  tournament of Athenes. Unfortunately, things went wrong that same year. Martin tore his ankle ligaments in the first round of the Dutch Open, which again meant months of recuperation.

Decision

The years of suffering so many injuries and going through difficult periodes, made Martin Verkerk eventually decide to end to his professional tennis career. He looks back in satisfaction to his many great highlights and accomplishments. Verkerk can’t seperate himself from the beautiful game of tennis and has enthousiastically started to carry out new challenges within the world of tennis. By co-operating with the Laurense Tennis Academy, Martin wants to achieve his goal, which is to stimulate and improve the level of tennis here and abroad!