The Pelham Racquet Club welcomes Matheus Chain to its team of experienced tennis pros. Head Tennis Pro Ryen Valentine said Matheus is a well-rounded pro who plays at a high level. “Coming from the private club world, he is comfortable teaching all genders, ages, and abilities. He’s highly motivated and eager to learn within the profession. He will be a great member of our team.”
Matheus said when the opportunity presented itself, he was impressed by the staff at Pelham Racquet Club. “They gave me the confidence to consider a career move and were very welcoming. Pelham Racquet Club immediately felt like home. The facility is beautiful, and the staff promotes competition. That is important for the juniors coming up in the program.” Matheus enjoys teaching in a group setting. He coaches both juniors and adults.
Matheus was born in Birmingham but moved to Brazil at age two. He returned to Alabama to play college tennis on a full scholarship at Jacksonville State University. While at Jax State, he was on the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Championship team in 2014 and was named to the OVC Men’s Tennis All-Conference Second Team in 2017.
Although Matheus started playing tennis at age ten, he said he got serious about it a year later. “I was practicing a lot for a little kid,” said Matheus. “My parents were very encouraging and influenced my career.” As a teen, Matheus was ranked number two in Brazil among 14s players. He taught tennis lessons in Brazil during summer breaks.
While working on his master’s degree in biomedical sciences at UAB, Matheus taught tennis lessons locally. He has been a tennis pro in the United States for seven years. His highest Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) was 12.9, an elite skill and performance level. He is the 2024 Birmingham Doubles Pro League Champion.
When asked why he chose a career as a tennis pro, Matheus said he likes being out in the sun and exercising. “I worked at a hospital for a bit and just like to be outside. Being out and playing tennis makes you a happier person. I enjoy what I do and want to pass my skills and experience on to aspiring players. It’s rewarding to see people getting better at the sport, and I enjoy developing relationships with the ones I teach.”
Matheus and his wife Sydney have four cats, and they hope to add a dog to their family soon. When he's not playing tennis, Matheus likes to grill, play video games, and care for his backyard goldfish pond.
The Pelham Racquet Club offers various programs for all ages and abilities. Follow PRC on social media or visit the Pelham Racquet Club website to learn more about clinics, leagues, socials, and tournaments.