Andalusia High School rising junior Matthew Beasley has been a part of the Andalusia Tennis Association since he was 4. This summer, he’s getting paid to teach the game he has loved.

“For the past three summers I have volunteered as an instructor just because I loved it so much,” Beasley said. “This is the first year that I am actually getting paid to do it.”

Beasley got into tennis in kindergarten because of his older sister.

“My sister played when I was really little, so that is probably what got me into it,” Beasley said. “But I have enjoyed it every year so I have stuck with it.”

He said that the Andalusia Tennis Association has been a part of his life for practically his whole life.

“When I was little I was always taking lessons in the summers,” Beasley said. “Now I get to give back a little by being an instructor.”

The best part about being an instructor to Beasley is being able to see the progress of his students.

“It doesn’t matter what age group I am teaching,” Beasley said. “I get to see the progress they have made during the entire summer and see how they have grown in the game.”

The most challenging part of the job to Beasley is teaching kids who don’t know the game at all.

“It’s hard to teach kids that don’t know anything about the game,” Beasley said. “Because you want them to get into it.”

Since Beasley was in the seventh grade he has been a part of the Andalusia High School varsity tennis team.

“I have loved being on the tennis team,” Beasley said. “It gives me an opportunity to play with my friends and play as a team.”

Beasley’s goal for next tennis season is to make it to the AHSAA State Tournament.