AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Dutchman Martin Verkerk, a surprise semifinalist at the 2003 French Open, announced his retirement from professional tennis on Wednesday.
The 6-foot-5 inch native of Amsterdam joined the men's tennis tour in 1996, but never fulfilled his early promise and retires with slightly more than $1.5 million in prize money.
The Verkerk, 30, lost the 2003 men's final at Roland Garros to Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero, and rose to a career-high 14th in the rankings later that year.
"I do not think that I can return to the highest level," he told Dutch television station NOS in discussing the reasons he retired.
He said following two years of hard training, he is not motivated enough to continue.
In the 2008 season, Verkerk lost all three matches in which he played.
