René Clergé, known simply as Clergé, and also referred to as Clergé de Elder in some sourcesNotably by Alain Jacquet in a text published by the Académie des Arts de Touraine.) was the greatest player of jeu de paume (real tennis) in the mid 18th century, with the height of his career being about 1753 in France. He is credited with being the first world champion of any sport, holding the real tennis title from 1740 until 1765, when Raymond Masson succeeded him. He was particularly good in a four-handed game.
Biography René Clergé, a French jeu de paume player (or paumisteA paumiste should not be confused with a paumier, a maker of equipment and renter of courts.), is said to have become the very first "world champion" in the history of sport in 1740. He remained the first recorded world champion from that year, having won the "silver esteuf".
He retained his title until 1765, when Raymond Masson succeeded him in the list of champions. He was particularly skilled at doubles.
The French Intangible Cultural Heritage inventory describes the player as follows:
Notes
References
Noel, Evan Baillie and J. O. M. Clark. A History of Tennis, p. 129, Oxford University Press, 1924. Real Tennis World Championship 2004 Program, p. 5, National Tennis Club, Newport, Rhode Island.