Verkerk is the first man to reach the final in his French Open debut since Mikael Pernfors in 1986. Coming into the tournament he had never won a Grand Slam match, and his career earnings in seven years as a professional were $431,820.
"A little more now," said Verkerk, whose quips come as quick as his 125-mph serve. "The money is not important to me."
What matters to Verkerk is that at the ripe old age of 24, he's rewarding his coach, family and friends for the faith they had in his game. He thought about those things as he laid on the clay crying after he beat Guillermo Coria 7-6 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (0) in the semifinals Friday.
"A little more now," said Verkerk, whose quips come as quick as his 125-mph serve. "The money is not important to me."
What matters to Verkerk is that at the ripe old age of 24, he's rewarding his coach, family and friends for the faith they had in his game. He thought about those things as he laid on the clay crying after he beat Guillermo Coria 7-6 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (0) in the semifinals Friday.
