When LSU men’s tennis senior Chris Simpson arrived in Baton Rouge, it was a home away from home.
As a freshman from Derby, England, Simpson became the fourth Englishman — two juniors and a sophomore — to join the 2010-11 roster. In fact, six of the 12 other members of the team were from Europe.
But now, Simpson stands atop the Tiger program in a class of his own.
As the only senior on this year’s team, Simpson is the highest-ranked LSU singles player in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s rankings and the only current Tiger to have competed in an NCAA Tournament.
Despite personal success throughout his time at LSU, the former Co-Louisiana Player of the Year and two-time All-Southeastern Conference Second Team member has committed to the team concept.
“The team just helps you get better,” Simpson said. “You’re down and might be losing, and you got someone on court three or four saying, ‘Come on, Chris, here we go.’ It helps a lot. … It would be weird now playing on my own or on a court because I wouldn’t have anyone talking to me.”

Playing on a team and adjusting to the Louisiana climate were challenges at first. But when Simpson received an opportunity to contribute to the Tigers, he didn’t waste any time.
Simpson became an All-SEC Freshman as a redshirt freshman and defeated nine ranked singles opponents his sophomore year, aiding his NCAA Tournament berth in singles. Simpson has accumulated a 72-59 record in singles and 69-52 record in doubles for his career.
“Day-in and day-out he’s the hardest worker on the team,” Busch said. “He’s doing everything when people aren’t watching. He’s hitting the extra serves. He’s making the extra ball. He’s 100 percent every day, and that’s why he’s done so well.”
Busch’s sentiment was on display Sunday night when the Tigers faced Nicholls State in the second dual match of a double-header. The Colonels’ Sam Meessen appeared to be heading toward an upset against Simpson after jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first set.
Simpson stayed composed against his spirited opponent and battled back to win the set, 6-4, and eventually take the match, 6-4, 6-1.
“In four years, [Simpson has] been a very consistent performer,” said LSU coach Jeff Brown. “He generally brings his best level. What we’ve seen him do different opponents is, ultimately, he just doesn’t give up. I think a lot of players’ level goes up and down. If they’re better than he is at the start, he still maintains it and catches them on the down side.”
Brown said Simpson wasn’t always his sharpest last season as he debated whether to pursue tennis after college. Once he refocused his goals, Brown credits Simpson as being crucial to the development of last year’s team, which only had eight players on the roster.
And if Simpson is physically and financially able, Brown encourages him to take a chance at a professional tour.
“You don’t want to ever have any regrets around when you’re 35, thinking, ‘I wish I would have done that,’” Brown said. “You only have a limited window. He could do well. It’s just up to some of those factors coming together.”
As for his final season at LSU, Simpson is soaking up the college experience as much as he possibly can. To him, the sky’s the limit for where LSU tennis is moving next.
“I just think it’s just going upward, especially with the new facilities,” Simpson said. “I think it is going to attract more players. It’s going to be easier for us because we go traveling and have to play indoors sometimes. Now we can train indoors and practice instead of us just having to train outdoors.”