On The Court: Simpson's Grant Love

College tennis is the next step (and a lot of the time, the last step) in a players career after high school, giving them four more years of the sport in a team setting. Players typically compete in the fall and the spring of the school year, and work to maintain their form over the winter and summer off-season traveling to tournaments or getting work in on the courts at their campus.

In the next edition of On The Court, we feature Simpson College's Grant Love, a former Estherville Lincoln Central standout who was two-time Lakes Conference singles champion, and multi-sport athlete in tennis, basketball and baseball. Love is in his junior season under coach Matt Price.

What is your tennis story?

I started playing tennis as a freshman at Estherville Lincoln Central High School in 2019. The head coach of the team—who had been my 8th grade science teacher—along with a few friends, convinced me to give the sport a try. Once we began practice that March, I instantly fell in love with the game. Every night, I’d watch clips of Roger Federer or Nick Kyrgios on YouTube, and I’d spend my free time at the courts with friends. I made the varsity team my freshman year, playing No. 4 singles and No. 3 doubles.

My sophomore season was canceled due to COVID, but I continued practicing with friends and improved my game tremendously. Junior year, I earned the No. 1 spot in both singles and doubles, finishing with a 13-2 record and winning the conference tournament in singles, which earned me 1st-Team All-Conference honors. My senior year was similar—I went 10-3 and earned 1st-Team All-Conference again for singles.

Midway through junior year, I decided I wanted to play college tennis. By senior year, I had narrowed down my options and ultimately committed to Simpson College. Since arriving at Simpson, I’ve really enjoyed getting to know my teammates and coach, competing against strong opponents, and experiencing the grind of being a DIII athlete.

What attracted you to Simpson College?

Outside of Athletics, I chose Simpson College because of its proximity to Des Moines and my family, the academic programs offered, the many opportunities to get involved on campus, and its close-knit community. Coach Matt Price was also a big part of my decision—he was extremely supportive throughout my college search, always checking in to see how things were going and helping with questions about financial aid and the recruiting process.

Why college tennis?

I chose to play college tennis because of my love for the game and my desire to push myself further—both in commitment and skill. I’m glad I made that decision because it’s helped me form lifelong friendships and allowed me to travel around the Midwest competing against strong opponents. There’s still more I want to accomplish in my athletic career, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.

Best piece of advice for high school players in their search for a college tennis program?

The best advice I can give to aspiring college tennis players is: practice, practice, practice. Focus on the fundamentals—especially footwork—until they become second nature. Just as important, though, is to enjoy the sport. That love for the game is what brought you here, and it’s what will carry you forward. Play for fun with friends, enjoy the good weather, put on some music, and have a great time at the courts. That’s what’s helped me avoid burnout and keeps me coming back to play.

What topics do you wish you knew more about as you explored college tennis options coming out of high school?

I wish I had realized how important it is to visit as many colleges as possible. Your high school and college coaches can only do so much—it’s on you to take initiative. Filling out “Recruit Me” forms and putting yourself out there makes a big difference.

Campus visits also give you a better feel for both the athletic and academic environments. Ask questions about day-to-day training, facilities, how the conference operates, and more. If you can, attend a meet—observe the atmosphere, evaluate the level of competition, and visualize yourself on that team. Do you see yourself thriving there?

What is your major/career interests?

I’m double majoring in Marketing Communication and Sports Administration, with a minor in Interactive Media. My goal is to pursue a career in athletics—ideally in tennis—working in media marketing or operations.

Tennis achievements

High School

Team Substate Final (2022)

1st-Team All-Conference in Singles (2022)

1st-Team All-Conference in Singles (2021)

#1 Varsity Singles & #1 Doubles (2021-22)

4-Time Letterwinner (2019-2022)

College

CSC Academic All-District (2023-24)

A-R-C All-Academic Team (2023-24)

Two-Time Letterwinner (2022-24)