High Point's Junius Chatman, Jr., inducted to the Black Tennis Hall of Fame

Since its founding in 2007, the Black Tennis Hall of Fame has recognized the accomplishments of individuals who broke through barriers of race and class in tennis. The hall is making every effort to ensure that these legends will remain a part of tennis history forever.

Junius Chatman, Jr., Director of Tennis at Oak Hollow Tennis Center in High Point, N.C., is one of the deserving inductees for 2025.

The Black Tennis Hall of Fame is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to preserving the history of Black tennis and honoring those who made a global impact on the ideals of sportsmanship and human rights, with special consideration extended to those who overcame racial barriers. 

"It's a huge honor," stated an appreciative Chatman. "Most people are dead when they get something like that. To be recognized, it's a great honor for me and my family."

Born and raised in Richmond, Va., Chatman was the first Black to earn a tennis scholarship to the University of North Carolina. It was there that his game developed, and he became a star on and off the court. He earned three ACC singles championships and a doubles championship while playing for the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill.

Chatman reached a singles ranking of No. 219 on the ATP Tour. It was 1982 when he made the round of 16 Iin tournaments in Stuttgart and Hilversum, as well as securing a doubles win over Jimmy Connors and Mel Purcell at Rotterdam. He also won three doubles titles on the ATP Challenger circuit.

He was the first Black to win the Virginia State Men’s Open Championship. In 2014, the Richmond Tennis Association inducted Chatman into its Hall of Fame.

Selected by the USTA in 2015 as one of the Top 50 Black Coaches/Teaching Pros in the country, he attended a high-performance coaching workshop in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. He earned USTA High Performance Coach PTR Professional level status.

Chatman keeps fond memories of his parents and their support of his career.

"My mom passed away in 1999 and my dad last year. They both were instrumental in the things I've done and continue to do. They both sacrificed a lot. I've said before, when I started, it was a different country, and my dad wasn't even allowed to go to certain places. Even in Richmond, he would drop me off at tennis and wait in the parking lot."

Moving to High Point

Following his professional career, Chatman wanted to stay in tennis and was forced to decide between two park and recreation jobs, one in Richmond and another in High Point. Chatman was offered an apartment by the High Point Parks Department until his family could join him in North Carolina.

He took a chance and headed to High Point, where he continues to coach.

"High Point has been a remarkable job. I've been there longest than any place else I've been. I appreciate the support the city has given me and the staff. You can't help but do a good job here."

His work in High Point has shown his own children, three of whom played college tennis, how important it is to stick with something you love.

Chatman says he still enjoys watching tennis at all levels, including college and professional tours.

"I follow pro tennis. My wife watches it non-stop. From the college players to the pros. I was happy to see how Wake Forest won the NCAAs. In the pros, I like watching the German players like (Alexander) Zverev. I've spent a lot of time in Germany and obviously all the American players like (Taylor) Fritz and Coco (Gauff)."

Chatman stays busy with family and work, so he doesn't have much time to reflect, but he wanted to make it known that he's not finished yet.

“It’s a blessing just to be able to do something you love to do,” Chatman adds. "High Point was a diamond in the rough, and I thought, I can make a difference here.”