Credit to Angelee Orozco

FHN junior Jace Jameson swing’s for ball in tennis match against North Point high school.

When Jace Jameson first started playing tennis, he was just 10 years old. It was introduced to him by his mom, Beth Jameson, who coaches tennis. But early in his career, he suffered an injury so severe it altered his entire approach to the sport.

“I first realized tennis was something I wanted to take seriously when I broke my arm,” Jace Jameson said. “I broke both bones, one in two places.”

And Jameson took this personally. He wanted to get back on the court, and so he made it happen.

He picked up his tennis career playing primarily in matches at the high school level with his teammate Kai Gustafson, who was already playing at Francis Howell North.

But at the time, Jameson was in seventh grade. So, when Jameson joined the boys’ tennis team his first year at Francis Howell North, he was already familiar with the intense competition and pace of the matches.

“My first high school matches were a lot of fun,” Jace said. “I got used to the experience. The team was very cool, and I just had a lot of fun with it. And by then, I was used to playing against high school kids when I ran doubles with Kai. So, the most noticeable difference was just the environment, and how much fun I could have with North’s team.”

Jameson enjoyed matches like this immensely and showed off his potential in early matches, often with his aggressive play style. But to keep up with his teammates, he had to go the extra mile.

“One of my biggest struggles when I was getting into tennis was that it was really hard to get time to practice,” Jameson said. “I couldn’t drive to places, so I’d have to bike. And I didn’t have a bag, so I’d have to carry my racket in my hand as I biked.”

Nevertheless, he worked like he had something to prove, using every resource he could to be a better player. And in his case, it was through words on a page.

“I keep a journal, and I take notes on what I need to work on for my next practice,” Jameson said. “And after I practice, I’ll take notes for the next session. I also keep tips from all my coaches. Any time I have something like a private session, I’ll have them write down some tips for me to work on next practice.”

Jameson was relentless, using the discipline he formed over years of play and the resolve he built coming back from his injury to perform. John Jameson – Jace Jameson’s older brother, who played with him during his earlier years – spoke about how not even sickness could keep him from playing.

“I remember his first time going to state,” John Jameson said. “He told me he took about 15 cough drops during the match, and he was still fighting through it. That goes to show he really wanted that match.”

State was just one example of how later in his career, Jace Jameson was dedicated to taking challenges head on, even when his body failed him. And through dedication like that, Jameson saw growth, and the people around him saw it too.

“The player he was when I stopped playing high school [tennis] with him versus the player he is now is easily twice as good,” John Jameson said. “Which is [impressive] when you consider the people he’s going up against. It hasn’t been a long time, but he’s got a lot better.”

And today, he coaches at Vetta Sports, where he gets to practice for free – something that would have felt like a luxury just a few years ago. 

His commitment to tennis also shaped how he behaved toward his opponents.

“I’ve always been proud of his sportsmanship,” Beth Jameson said. “And as a tennis coach, I’m always watching for that. I want to see players who are playing the game with character.”

But his drive for the sport would create opportunities for himself to grow, more than just as a player. While he had always been described as confident by friends and family, he developed a sense of humility from his modest beginnings biking to and from practice. The journey he had in tennis brought him more than just a powerful serve or a sharp volley, it changed who he is as a person. 

“He does have humility inside,” Beth Jameson said. “And his family’s proud of him. He’s a big personality [on court], and he’s big at home as well. It keeps us all on our toes, and it’s fun to have his energy around.”

*Editor note: The story was updated with changes to Jace’s personal recovery, place on the team, and familial names.