To many people, A. Tyler Stephen comes across as a typical tennis enthusiast. Those people simply don't know him.
See, Stephen's a tennis dork and proud of it.
"I know the top five boy's and girl's players under the age of 16," said Stephen. "From juniors, to pro's, to college tennis, to fantasy tennis; it's absolutely an obsession, and a good one." One can't fault him. Stephen was born to play tennis and picked up his first racquet at the tender age of five. "My dad was very influential," stated Stephen. "He always played at a decent level and placed a racquet in my hand when I was little." "If he never got me on the court I would have never played." It may be a move his father regrets. His father, John, approached me at a home match this past April. "Hey, Adam," he said, "after Tyler's last tennis match we're going to have the white suits carry him off and take him to an insane asylum," he said, walking away laughing. If you've never watched Stephen compete on the tennis court, shame on you. Not only have you missed out on one of the grittiest competitors on this campus, you've also missed out on some quality entertainment. From yelling at himself in Spanish, saving multiple match points and never taking a point off, you can always count on Stephen to put on a good show. "I'm very unique on the court that's just the way I am," he said. "It comes naturally and I don't like to change who I am or what I'm doing". There's no need for a change in his game. The senior was recently named to the All Ohio Athletic Conference team for a fourth straight year. "I worked hard for it. If you would have told me four years ago I was going to be all conference every year I wouldn't have believed you," said Stephen. "This year was surprising because I didn't have a good statistical year, but I dug deep to win some big matches," he added. It's been a sport that's grown on the four-time conference award winner. It's also broadened his horizons. Stephen traveled to Chile in December 2007 and felt right at home on the clay courts. "I've always loved watching and playing clay court tennis. Points are slower and are also more well constructed," said Stephen. "That surface and style makes me feel like it's where I belong. He also serves as a tennis professional at The Racquet Club in Columbus; a sign that just because the senior will soon be finished with college, he is far from finished with his true passion. "I love it because I'm around the game and kids who want to get better," said Stephen. "My own failures help make me a better teacher of the game." I asked Stephen if there is anything else people should know about him. He replied, "I never lost to Capital. Ever."t&c;
