A loaded tennis clinic today for former professional player Martin Verkerk at the Enkhuizer Tennis Club. His father passed away a few weeks ago. Nevertheless, he made it a festive afternoon, with a beautiful demonstration as icing on the cake.
Verkerk (44) had his greatest successes at the beginning of this century. He won two ATP tournaments and, to everyone’s surprise, reached the final of the Grand Slam tournament Roland Garros in Paris in 2003. For a while he was also 14th in the world rankings. He eventually had to stop due to a lingering shoulder injury.
Nowadays he runs a tennis school and gives clinics. So today in Enkhuizen. First he gives the youth and then adults the necessary tips. After that, some club members are allowed to play a doubles game with him. He clearly hasn’t forgotten how to play tennis. Verkerk laughs, jokes, but it becomes clear that he has also had a difficult period after his father died a few weeks ago.
Heavy Father’s Day
“It’s very tough. Especially now that it’s Father’s Day today,” he explains. “This morning I went out to teach first and then this clinic. Then I saw my daughter look difficult for a while. It’s my job, but I also look forward to seeing her again when I get home .”
The clinic is arranged by Gerhard van Galen, member of merit at the tennis club. “I wanted to do something for the club,” he explains. “It’s fun.for the youth and members. But also an impulse and kickstart for the tournament (West Frisian Championships) that will be held this week and which I organized myself between 1990 and 1999.”
The day ends with a demonstration. Martin Verkerk plays with the club tennis trainer Jannes Zevenbergen against the other trainers of the club, Rowena Baierl and Bart de Gier. The latter is also a familiar face in Enkhuizen.
From Germany back to Enkhuizen
For years he was one of the best tennis players in the Netherlands and also won the tournament in Enkhuizen several times. “I like being here again,” says the resident of Zwaag. Yesterday he played in the German competition, but gladly accepted the offer to play a demonstration. “It was six hours there, five hours back. But this is fun to do.”
The public sees nice rallies. Good points sound like ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs’ from the audience. “It’s also about making a show together,” explains Verkerk. “You have to give each other something, that makes it fun.” The Vulture nods in agreement. “You want to end the rallies with winners as much as possible. At least not with a mistake. That is not fun for the public.”
Naturally, after a tie of 5-5, the game ends with a super tie-break. So whoever gets ten points first. In the end it is Baierl and De Gier who come out on top. Despite the emotionally charged day, Verkerk enjoyed it. “It’s always fun to do,” he says just before he gets into the car to celebrate Father’s Day with his daughter.
View several photos of the demonstration below.