Martin Willem Verkerk (born 31 October 1978) is a retired professional Dutch tennis player. He reached the final of the French Open in 2003 and achieved a career-high singles ranking of No. 14 in September 2003. During his career, he won two ATP singles titles.

Quick Facts Country (sports), Residence ...

Martin Verkerk

Country (sports)	Netherlands
Residence	Alphen a/d Rijn, Netherlands
Born	(1978-10-31) 31 October 1978 (age 45) Leiderdorp, Netherlands
Height	1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
Turned pro	1996
Retired	2008
Plays	Right-handed (one-handed backhand)
Prize money	$1,564,520
Singles
Career record	59–70
Career titles	2
Highest ranking	No. 14 (15 September 2003)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open	1R (2003, 2004)
French Open	F (2003)
Wimbledon	2R (2004)
US Open	2R (2003)
Doubles
Career record	24–37
Career titles	0
Highest ranking	No. 63 (3 November 2003)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open	1R (2004)
French Open	2R (2003, 2004, 2007)
Wimbledon	2R (2004)
US Open	2R (2003)
Last updated on: 28 January 2022.

Close

Verkerk began playing tennis at the age of seven, playing in local tournaments and training with his parents. He played in a tennis facility in his hometown of Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands, where his talent was recognized by local coaches, and he soon had the opportunity to train with many better players. He later won the 18 and Under Dutch title in 1995.^[1]

In 2003, playing in only his third Grand Slam event and ranked 46, Verkerk reached the final of the French Open. Along the way, he beat Željko Krajan, Luis Horna, Vince Spadea and Rainer Schüttler before overcoming experienced clay court players Carlos Moyá (seeded 4th) and Guillermo Coria (seeded 7th). In the final, he lost to Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero in straight sets.^[2]

His unexpected run at the French Open as an underdog and his expressive on-court antics made him popular in the Netherlands. The final was watched by even more households in the Netherlands than when his countryman Richard Krajicek won Wimbledon in 1996. ^{[citation needed]} However, hampered by various injuries and mononucleosis, Verkerk was unable to reproduce similar results during the rest of his career, never advancing beyond the third round in any subsequent Grand Slams.

During his career, he won two titles and reached the quarter-finals of the 2003 Rome Masters. Verkerk played a close match against Roger Federer at the 2003 Paris Masters, losing in three tiebreak sets after holding four match points.^[2]

Verkerk's game was based on powerful serves and backhands. He used a single-handed backhand and his favorite surface was clay.^[3]