Coach Caleb

Biography

Caleb Marquardt is a distinguished tennis professional, formerly ranked #1 in Nation, Intermountain, and in Colorado as a junior athlete. He is a dedicated coach known for his work ethic, technical expertise, and commitment to player development. Born and raised on a small farm in Cortez, Colorado Calebs tennis journey began at age seven after watching Wimbledon on television. With no formal training and limited local resources, he and his father transformed cracked, weed-filled public courts into their training ground. Despite having no tennis background, Caleb’s father became his full-time coach, training him before and after school for 4–8 hours daily, 364 days out of the year except for Christmas Day. This relentless dedication produced rapid results.

Within three years, Caleb entered Colorado’s largest junior tournament—the Denver City Open—and advanced to the championship match, defeating the state’s top-ranked player. Soon after, he held the #1 ranking in Colorado for Boys’ 10-and-under and later earned #1 rankings in the Intermountain Section (Colorado, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Nevada) in the Boys’ 12s, 14s, 16s, and 18s.

After Calebs freshman year in high school they moved to Grand Junction, where access to stronger competition accelerated his development further. They regret not moving to a larger city to train, but Grand Junction seemed large coming from Cortez, with a population of only 8,000 people.

As a student-athlete at Fruita Monument High School, he achieved an unbeaten three-year record (57–0), winning Regional and State Championships at #1 singles as a sophomore, junior, and senior. During this period, he also reached the pinnacle of junior tennis: qualifying for the USTA National Hardcourt Championships in Kalamazoo, Michigan. (This Level One Tournament is the most sought after junior tennis tournament to qualify for, with only 128 of the top U.S players. The winner receives a wild card into the Men’s U.S Open.) Caleb’s breakthrough victory over #1 seed David Martin (Martin was ranked #1 in the U.S.) advanced him into the round of 16, earning him national recognition, recruitment interest from UCLA, Stanford, Texas A&M, Florida State, and several other Division I programs, and a sponsorship from Wilson.

Caleb continued his tennis career at the University of Arizona, competing under Head Coach Bill Wright. In 1999, he paused collegiate play to pursue semi-professional tennis, competing in Futures and Satellite events. That same year, he won the Elam Pro/Am Classic and the Denver City Open Men’s Open division, earning the #1 Men’s Open ranking in Colorado. Unfortunately, severe bilateral tennis elbow ended his competitive pursuits after extensive therapy and medical intervention.

Undeterred, Caleb transitioned into coaching and was hired by Joe Thompson—President of the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA; the greatest and most recognized tennis coach in the nation) as the Head Tennis Professional at Rolling Hills Country Club in Golden, Colorado. Under Thompson’s mentorship, Caleb refined his expertise in player development, private and group instruction, program design, and full-scale club management.

Caleb was very fortunate to learn from the nation's top leader overseeing all the USPTA coaches. During those years, there were over 15,000 USPTA tennis coaches. The two most important key elements Caleb learned from Mr. Thompson to coach other students were: (whether a 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, or 5.0+, or a Junior Competitive Player) 1. executing an excellent contact point, and 2. “playing loose, wet noodle loose.”

After several influential years in the tennis industry, an unexpected chapter took him into the coal mining industry, where he worked underground for five years. Following a life-threatening injury, Caleb returned to his true calling: tennis.

Today, Caleb is a respected tennis

professional based in Grand Junction, Colorado. He coaches all ages and levels of juniors, and adults from 2.0 - 6.5 NTRP level.

He brings decades of competitive experience, technical mastery, and personal resilience to players of all ages and skill levels. His coaching philosophy centers on helping athletes achieve their individual goals—whether recreational, competitive, or collegiate-bound—by fostering discipline, confidence, sound technique, and a lifelong love for the game.

Outside of tennis, Caleb enjoys hunting, Deep sea fishing , country swing dancing, and anything that involves the beautiful Colorado Mountains.

Coaching Accomplishments

Please Note:
None of these accomplishments would have been possible without these players consistently training to execute a good contact point, and “playing loose, wet noodle loose.”

• Personal junior coach for Orange Bowl Champion, #1 in the World Boys 14 and Under Division -Clancy Shields (testimonial)

• Personal coach Alexandro Aybar All American NCAA D1 qualifier (testimonial)

• Coach for several Colorado State Champions at #1 Singles Positions (including Vinnie Fallico, and Richard Johnson. ) thru #4 Doubles Teams (Testimonial)

• Personal Coach of Susan Wright, #1 in the World Woman’s Singles and Doubles in 50’s, 55’s, 60’s (testimonial)

• Personal Coach of USTA Colorado District Woman’s 2.5 League Winners, and Regional Semi-Finalists

• Personal Coach of USTA Colorado District Woman’s 3.0 League Winners, Regional Finalist, (testimonial) and National Qualifiers

• Personal Coach of USTA Colorado District Woman’s 3.5 League Winners, Regional Runner-up

• Personal Coach of USTA Colorado District Men’s 3.0 League Winners, Regional Finalist and National Qualifiers

• Personal Coach of USTA Colorado District Men’s 3.5 League Winners, Regional Winners, and National Qualifiers

PERSONAL COMPETITIVE Accomplishments

• Denver City Men’s Open Champion 1999

• Ranked #1 in the State of Colorado, Men’s Open Division 1999

• Played Tennis for the University of Arizona under Collegiate Coach of the Year Bill Wright

• Runner-Up NCAA D1 Pacific Coast Tournament San Diego, CA 1999

• Elam Classic Pro/Am Winner Singles 1999

• Elam Classic Pro/Am Winner Doubles 1998

• Vail Open Men’s Open Winner 1996

• 3x Colorado State Tennis Champion @ #1 singles (Fruita Monument High) ‘96-98

• 4x (four years in a row) Colorado Regional Champion at #1 singles @ Fruita Monument High) ‘95-98

• High School Win/Loss Record was 72-1

• National High School Player of the Day

• Defeated David Martin (#1 seeded player)

• At the largest USTA National Hard Court Championships in Kalamazoo, MI., advancing to the round of 16.

• (Winning this tournament, you receive a wild card straight into the Men’s US Open)

• USTA Hardcourt National qualifier Kalamazoo, MI. 3 years in a row ‘96-98

• State Farm Athlete of the Week

• Ranked #1 in the State of Colorado for Boys 10’s 12,’s 14’s 16’s and 18’s

• Ranked #1 in the Intermountain (Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Montana) Boys 14’s, 16s and 18’s Division