Claude's Bio
Claude's Bio
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Originally from New Zealand, Claude attended the University of Maryland 1975-1978 on a tennis and soccer scholarship. In 1977 he was presented the prestigious "M" Club John W. Guckeyson Award for excellence in two sports.
He is a U.S.P.T.A. professional with 35 years of service with a Pro 1 rating.
Claude is a former ATP touring professional, achieving a ranking in the top 200. He is a 30 time Mid-Atlantic and Maryland State Champion, winning the Mid-Atlantic Men's 40, 45 & 50 Singles Clay Court Championships on 15 different occasions.
As a five time National Singles Champion he has been selected to represent the USA on International Senior Teams.
In 2000 Claude was a member of the victorious Men's 45 International Dubler Cup team in Paraguay, playing #1 singles.
Claude achieved a number 1 USTA singles ranking for Men's 40 Singles in 1998.
Tennis Playing Record
- New Zealand 17 & under Singles & Doubles Champion, 1972.
- New Zealand 19 & under Singles Champion, 1974
- Represented New Zealand in the Linton Cup in Sydney, Australia, 1974.
- Played at the Junior Davis Cup (Galea Cup) in Monticatini, Italy, for New Zealand, 1975.
- Competitor on the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) from 1978-1985, achieving a world ranking high of # 235, playing world-wide in the U.S., Europe, South America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.
- Represented the U.S. in the International Team Competition in Melbourne, Australia in 1985, Asuncion, Paraguay in 2000, and in Vienna, Austria in 2001.
- Claude played #1 singles on the victorious U.S.A. Dubler Cup played in Paraguay in 2001. Also #2 singles on the second placed Dubler Cup Team in Austria, 2001.
- Two time winner of the USPTA National Mens 35 singles titles, 1985 and 1986.
- 1991 USPTA Player of the Year Award.
- Winner of the USTA National Mens 45 Clay Court Singles Champion, 2000.
- Ranked # 1 USTA Mens 40 Singles Player, 1998-1999.
- Winner of 33 Mid-Atlantic titles.
- Winner of 30 Maryland State titles.
With all of his teaching and playing experience, Claude uses his knowledge to teach players of all skill levels in both private and group settings. He stresses the fundamentals of stroke development, strategy, and conditioning with instructional drills and match play situations.
Former Director of Tennis at the Chestnut Ridge Country Club in Lutherville, MD, for 27 years, 1984-2011, and also Director of Tennis at the Woodholme Country Club in Pikesville, MD for 7 years, 2012-2018.
Currently Claude is a member of the Teaching Staff at the prestigious L'Hirondelle Club of Ruxton, MD during the summer and a Teaching Professional at the Coppermine Racquet and Fitness Club in Baltimore during the indoor winter season.
Claude was born in Lower Hutt, New Zealand in 1955. He graduated from the Hutt Valley High School in 1972. He attended the University of Maryland from 1975-1978, where he had a Tennis and Soccer Scholarship. His major was Business with a minor in Recreation.
Claude partners with Matts Willander at the Barbara Janoff Tennis Memorial Event at Green Spring Racquet Club, May 2010(photo courtesy Mid-Atlantic Match Point Magazine)
Claude and his wife Normaat the US Open in 2008
Claude and Normaat the Australian Open
Claude and Chris Evert at the Evert Academy in Boca Raton, Florida
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