Richmond Tennis Association
Mailing: P.O. Box 17612, Richmond, VA 23226
Phone: (804) 357-3793
JP LaFors, President | Maria Sorkin, Managing Director
Carl Clark enters the Hall of Fame with multiple local, state, national and international championships. He won the Richmond City’s Men’s Singles Championship in 1999 and again in 2008. He won the Virginia State Hard Court singles titles in 1991 and 1999, and he won the Virginia State Clay Court titles in 1999 and 2001. Virginia State Indoor Championships were won by Carl in 1997, 2001 and 2002. He also won the State Indoor Doubles crown a record eight times.
At the national level, Carl has dominated, winning fourteen National USTA Championships including four consecutive USTA National 30 Indoor Championships from 1997 – 2000.
On the international stage, Carl was the runner up at the International Tennis Federation’s 45 and over singles World Senior Championship. Although unseeded, Carl knocked off three seeds, including the former champion, to reach the championship match. Carl also represented the USA five times in the Potter Cup, a worldwide competition for the men’s 45 age division. In 2012, the USA finished second out of ten teams and Carl was undefeated and named the team’s MVP.
Before taking on the head tennis professional position at CCV, Carl played #1 singles for UVA from 1986 – 1989, and then competed in Europe. Carl’s contributions to CCV’s tennis program during his sixteen year tenure is best described by the Club’s Director of Tennis in his farewell to Carl in 2013: “Instilling competitive excellence in others. Obvious growth of league involvement with CCV adults, and school teams populated with CCV’s juniors. Tournament training groups working during mid-day heat to prepare for competition. Old-school approach to discipline and etiquette.”
For the record, CCV did win the Anthem Cup, now Thalhimer’s Cup, four times between 2003 and 2009.
Carl’s intensity, athleticism and competitive excellence combined with his old school etiquette, made him a joy to watch and a champion at every level. The Hall of Fame is honored to have him on board.