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A Personal Biography of Claudia by Geoff Gardner

This brief insight into Claudia’s career in Tennis is from my visits to tournaments around the World, from 1977 – today, and following Claudia from 1981, my experiences, stories and her career.

With over 200 tournaments it is not possible to put every detail, but hope you enjoy the journey.

Kitzbuhel 1980

I visited the picturesque Austrian town of Kitzbuhel in 1980, and this tournament was going to change my life, little did I know when I watched Claudia first playing against Hiedi Eisterlehner ( Germany ) on a quiet outside court, and that forehand, and of course that smile. I watched her matches in the Doubles with Eva Pfaff, who won the final without hitting a ball, with Claudia quiet and shy looking and Eva getting involved and enjoying every moment.

Claudia was to win Kitzbuhel the following year defeating Sylvia Hanika.

It was not until Brighton saw her again, losing to Virginia Ruzici (Romania), but the elegant ground strokes, the heavy forehand and accurate sliced backhand were to bring her great success in the years to come, and one of the few people who could hit a backhand smash with regular accuracy.

Surbiton 1981

Surbiton a small English tournament, just after the French Open ( lost 1R Chris Evert), it was good too see her again, always with Bettina Bunge, always having fun, but unfortunately she lost to the Black American Kim Sands. However it was Eastbourne next, and in those days Eastbourne was the ‘Mecca’ for Players and Fans, the friendly tournament with a great social atmosphere, nice town and of course the best player party on the circuit.

Eastbourne

Eastbourne with its great atmosphere, and then bringing all the best players in the World together, just before Wimbledon, and the grass, which should have been the best surface for Claudia’s serve and volley game, although she could have achieved more, still had good success and in 1981 lost in the Quarter Finals to Martina Navratilova. Some of my best moments where at Eastbourne with Claudia, and the atmosphere where Players could mix with spectators and fans comfortably, visits to the famous ‘Milk Bar’ Fusciardi’s, the Bucaneer Pub, the Pier and of course the Player Party.

Wimbledon

Wimbledon in many years to come was to give Claudia one her greatest achievements winning the doubles in 1987. However before that Claudia lost to Barbara Potter in 1981, Tracey Austin in the Quarter Finals in 1982, Navratilova in 1983, Chris Evert in 1984 it was only the top players that stopped Claudia progressing, Until the day she met Jo Durie (British) on the Centre Court (2R 1985), I must have been the only British person not supporting Jo (She was also from my home town of Bristol !!) Jo was a top player at that time, but Claudia was expected to win, but Jo pushed through a 3 set win.. one of those ‘not so good’ days…

Wimbledon 87 Doubles Champions

Well 1987 at Wimbledon made up for it all, and having lost to Chris Evert in the Quarter Finals, the double final was a day to remember against Betsy Nagelsen and Liz Smilie, and Claudia playing with her regular partner Helena Sukova.

This was a special day, my German Flag hanging over the stand ( Wimbledon do not allow it, but they never caught me!!), those tears of joy as Claudia and Helena stood in the Royal Box to collect the trophy. In Tennis the greatest moment for me, and every year at Wimbledon I still make a special trip everyday past the ‘Winners’ board and give Claudia’s name a touch for good luck (Crazy!!).

French Open

The French Open is my favourite Tennis Tournament for watching tennis, and Paris is a beautiful City and full of experience, having experienced the Student Riots, the usual French strikes, and of course all the museums closed !! (Claudia and myself decided on a visit to the museums to see the art collections.. a rare day away from the Tennis, but also the day they were all closed!!) There are so many stories from the French ( 22 years in a row).

Claudia had mixed results in the singles, but still managed the Semi finals losing to Martina in 1985, and again Martina in the Quarter Finals in 1987, and again it was the doubles Claudia was more consistent in with Helena .

Amelia Island

Well Amelia Island has something special with its lovely beaches, the quiet town of Fernandina, with its Saloon bar and old South atmosphere, was not just another tennis tournament, it was a holiday as well ( I made 7 visits there). With Hilton Head (A busy Island in South Carolina , with great restaurants) usually the week before, It was two weeks of great Tennis.. the most famous moment was in 1986 when Claudia played Steffi in the final, and with the score 4-6 7-5 and 5-5 in the third set, Peter Graf was accused on ‘coaching’ and asked to leave by Referee Lee Jackson… and Steffi went on to win..and you just wonder might have happened if there was no interruption.

USOpen

Claudia had a good period at the USOpen from 1984 – 1987 when she reached the quarter finals, but most of all winning the Doubles title with Helena Sukova in 1985. The joys of New York City , those hot humid days.

Bob & Claudia VS Champs 88

Well the end of the year Championships in New York, was a fantastic event, and my visit in 1988, Claudia’s last time there, was a brilliant time, with the stretched limo’s, star treatment and a ‘cooler’ New York . The picture shows Claudia and coach Bob Rhienberger with one of the limo’s. Claudia lost to Steffi in 3 sets, after winning the second set and playing the better tennis, Steffi took the first two games in the third set, and regained her confidence, but as so many times when Claudia played Steffi the final score never showed how often how close the matches were.

Filderstadt

Another regular visit for me was to Filderstadt in the autumn, and the hospitality if Dieter Fisher, the parties and the presents and the warm welcome, and still some of the people there are friends. Also the Autumn trees in the nearby forest were beautiful. Filderstadt was always a difficult tournament for Claudia, but still managed to reach the quarter finals (Lost to Steffi) and semi finals (lost to Linqvist).. I was ill that day and just got out of bed to watch the game and go back to bed straight after. However Filderstadt has special memories as it was really the first time I really got to know Claudia well…

Birmingham Champion 88

A major win on grass for Claudia was Birmingham 1988, on a sunny and very windy day against the service of Pam Shriver (who was invincible at Birmingham ) ..Claudia always hated the wind. Maybe it was my offer of taking her to MacDonalds if she lost that inspired her !! Of course the famous event afterwards was the Trophy went missing as Claudia took it with her to Eastbourne and the trophy is solid silver and the oldest Tennis Trophy.

Claudia and Katrin Amelia Island

Claudia was lucky to play tennis in a period of great players, like Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert, and later Steffi Graf, and perhaps at another time Claudia would have achieved more, however got to number 4 in the world. Also Womens Tennis was making itself a major spectator sport, but with new and interesting experiences, and whilst there was a lot of hard work involved, there was fun, and Claudia and Katrin were regularly together at tournaments.

Thank you Claudia

Geoff Gardner