Simone Jardim, a renowned Brazilian-American pickleball player, is happily married to her supportive husband, Chad Edwards.
Jardim, born on November 7, 1979, in Santa Maria, Brazil, moved to the United States at the age of 18 to pursue her tennis career at Auburn University.
After two years, she transferred to Fresno State University, where she excelled as a two-time All-American in women’s doubles tennis.
Following her graduation, Jardim worked as an assistant tennis coach at Fresno State for three years.
During this time, she contributed to the team’s notable achievements, including a 58–20 record, three WAC conference championships, and a national ranking of No. 20 in her final year.
In 2008, she became an assistant coach at the College of William & Mary and was promoted to interim head coach by the end of the season.
After a year, she was appointed head coach at Michigan State University, where she led the team for eight successful seasons.
Under her guidance, the team reached two of its best records: 17–9 in 2014 and 16–9 in 2015.
Despite her success in coaching, Jardim decided to pivot her career in 2015, stepping into the burgeoning sport of pickleball.
In 2016, she claimed her first US Open pickleball championship in women’s singles, quickly establishing herself as a top competitor in the sport.
From 2017 to 2018, she achieved back-to-back US Open triple crowns, winning titles in singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles.
Her unparalleled consistency earned her the world’s No. 1 ranking among female pickleball players, a title she held from 2016 to 2020.
In 2019, she added yet another US Open singles title, further cementing her place as one of the greatest in pickleball history.
By 2021, Jardim had amassed 32 Pro Pickleball Association (PPA) titles, the most among women players, while shifting her focus from singles to doubles and mixed doubles.
In 2023, Jardim’s legacy continued to grow when she won the doubles title at the US Open with Parris Todd.
She was also honoured as the Association of Pickleball Players’ Female Pro Doubles Player of the Year, recognizing her continued excellence and impact on the sport.
Moreover, she was recently inducted into the Pickleball Hall of Fame on November 14, 2024, in Mesa, Arizona.
Meet Chad Edwards: Simone Jardim’s Supportive Husband and Pickleball Instructor
Simone Jardim and her husband, Chadwick Edwards, began their married life together on November 17, 2007.
Chad’s Instagram, with more than 2K followers, lists his roles as sports & fitness instructor, pickleball instructor, professional pickleball commentator, and business owner.
Since 2016, he has been the co-director and a certified pickleball instructor at the Peak Performance Pickleball Academy in Bonita Springs, Florida.
His sports background is extensive, having been a Division I baseball player and coach for over 16 years.
The Seattle Mariners drafted him before he attended California State University, Fresno.
Chad’s experience includes roles as an assistant baseball coach at Lansing Community College in 2016.
Additionally, he worked as a baseball instructor at Capital City Baseball Kingdom in Lansing, Michigan, from 2012 to 2016.
He started playing pickleball with Simone in March 2015 and has over a decade of experience running private baseball instruction facilities.
Today, he uses his sports expertise to help grow the sport of pickleball alongside his wife, Simone.
Their teamwork extends to social media, where Chad often shares posts celebrating Simone’s successes and their family life, indicating a strong supportive bond.
The couple, both instructors, frequently share coaching content online.
They are proud parents to two children, Alexas, 14, and Landon, 7.
Simone and Chad, who recently celebrated 16 years of marriage, are thriving in Nashville, Tennessee, with their kids.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- In 2003, Simone Jardim completed her bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism at Fresno State.
- Her endorsements include partnerships with JOOLA, Jigsaw Health, and Nike.
