At 36, Jeff Suber has turned a childhood passion into a full-time career as a tennis pro. Through his easy-going demeanor and infectious love for the sport, Coach Jeff is bringing energy, heart, and a community-first mindset to Tennis Memphis.
Born and raised in Greenville, Mississippi, Jeff was introduced to tennis when his aunt put a racquet in his hand one Saturday and nudged him to try something new. “It was a challenge, and I was always the kind of kid who wanted to take on a challenge,” he recalls.
After dabbling with the sport as a teen, life took Jeff in a different direction. He worked in sales and raised a daughter, but never strayed too far from the court. He picked tennis back up in his 20s, joining adult leagues in Mississippi and regularly hitting with friends. “I always found my way back to the courts,” he says.
Eventually, Jeff made the leap to turn his passion into his profession. While living in Nashville and “shopping around” for opportunities in tennis, a position at Tennis Memphis brought him to Memphis two years ago, and he hasn’t looked back. “I wanted to do something I loved,” he says. “And now I get to do that every day.”
As a coach, Jeff spends most of his time working with beginners, helping them find the same spark he once felt. “When someone gets that first good hit, and you see it click, that’s the moment I love,” he says. His coaching style is relaxed, positive, and adaptable. “I go into each of my lessons with a plan, but I leave room for flexibility so that I can cater to each student or group’s goals,” he says.
On any given day, Jeff leads up to five lessons, classes, or camps. Though coaching has taken priority over playing lately, he still tries to carve out time to stay active. A good playlist and a few warm-up hits before a session help him get in the zone. “The key is finding that balance between fun and focus,” he says. “That’s what I want for myself and my students.”
Jeff is especially passionate about the community aspect of tennis. He appreciates the chance to meet new faces, share the court with people from different walks of life, and build confidence while having fun. At Tennis Memphis, that welcoming spirit is central to their mission. “We like to focus on beginners and have programs for anyone to join. We want tennis to be accessible, fun, and low-pressure. We build from the bottom up.”
His advice to new players? “Find the joy first. Don’t stress about technique or being perfect. Bring your friends, make it social, and just enjoy hitting the ball.”
Learn more about the programs at Tennis Memphis on their Instagram @tennismemphis or their website, Tennismemphis.org. Reach out to Coach Jeff directly to schedule private coaching at 662.616.8129.
By Zoe Harrison
Photo by Tindall Stephens
