Born and raised in Lakeland to parents Jason and Mollie Simpson, Tanner and Wiley loved athletics from a young age and began playing the sport of tennis around the ages of five and four respectively, a sport both Jason and Mollie play. Whether it was one one one basketball, laps in the pool, or “driveway tennis” Tanner and Wiley have always pushed each other competitively.
“They have definitely sharpened one another,” shared Jason and Mollie. “They are also very competitive so there were definitely some moments of heated competition.”
Both Tanner and Wiley affirmed the competitive atmosphere they grew up together in, and how it was also great encouragement to them both.
“It could get intense sometimes, especially since we are brothers,” remarked Tanner. “But we definitely made each other better by being so competitive. Having the shared experience of playing tennis and competing in tournaments together growing up was such a blessing.”
“Having Tanner as a brother has been the single most important aspect of my tennis game,” added Wiley.
The culmination of this competitive sibling dynamic came when the opportunity arose in 2021 for Tanner and Wiley to compete as teammates at Geneva Classical Academy as a part of the Boys’ Tennis program. Their head coach was a very familiar face, their mother Mollie. She was assisted by her dad, the boys’ grandfather, David Yeary.
Tanner and Wiley quickly proved to be a dominant force in Polk County tennis, winning the Polk County Doubles’ Championship all three years they competed at Geneva (21’,22’,23’). Their leadership on and off the court helped culminate in the Simpson brothers leading Geneva to the West Polk County Tournament Championship in 2023, the first in program history.
“We can’t count how many parents and coaches from opposing schools would come up to us after matches and tell us how they were not just impressed by Tanner and Wiley’s tennis game, but by their sportsmanship,” remarked Jason and Mollie. “Even when the pressure was on, the boys always displayed tremendous sportsmanship and Christ-like character.
Unfortunately, the tennis program was disbanded at Geneva following the 2023 season. With Tanner having graduated and signed on to continue his tennis career at the highly-touted NCAA Division II Florida Southern Moccasins, this left Wiley looking for a place to compete for his senior season.
Wiley ended up choosing Winter Haven High School due to connections with some of the coaches and players in the program. Despite suffering an injury early in his senior season, Wiley battled back due largely from the support he received from his teammates.
“My teammates were extremely welcoming and are some of the nicest guys I know,” commented Wiley. “They were very encouraging to me when I was injured and helped me get back into the season just in time for county.”
Wiley and his doubles’ partner Ben Saltman made a historic postseason run, capturing the FHSAA Boys Tennis Doubles’ Championship with a 6-4, 6-3 win in the final over Miami Palmetto.
“It was the best match we played all season,” exclaimed Wiley. “Securing this win was amazing because I knew I’d made my mark on the sport by winning a state title.”
Tanner also continued his success in tennis at the collegiate level, earning his first collegiate win at #2 Doubles versus UPR earlier this year on March 16. Additionally, Simpson earned a 4.0 grade point average for his first year of studies as a student-athlete. Tanner was a part of a Mocs’ team who went 17-9 and advanced to the NCAA DII South Region Tournament.
“Tanner is the epitome of a great teammate,” shared Florida Southern Tennis Head Coach Rhett Rollyson. “He understands his role and knows playing time is limited but brings the effort and positive energy on a daily basis nonetheless. He always does whatever it takes to help the team without ever questioning anything.”
After a one year hiatus, the Simpson brothers will be reunited on the court in the Fall of 2025, as Wiley has signed to continue his collegiate career at Florida Southern, where Tanner and he will be reunited as teammates for the first time since they played together at Geneva.
“I’m very excited to reunite with Tanner and I know we’ll have a great time,” shared Wiley. “I know we’ll make each other better tennis players because that’s what we’ve always done. He’s a great guy.”
“I know he is really going to like the team environment we have here because it is close and tight knit, like Geneva’s,” added Tanner. “Next year is going to be really fun for both of us and I’m excited to get started.”
“Wiley is going to be in the same situation as Tanner and will accept his role willingly to help continue growing our program however possible,” commented Coach Rollyson. “The Simpson family is a great supporter of FSC tennis and Lakeland tennis in general, and so happy to have them connected to our college. Hopefully we can get them on the court together for a match!”
For Tanner and Wiley, ultimately they view the opportunities they have had in tennis at Geneva and ahead of them at Florida Southern, as opportunities to glorify God.
“When it comes to tennis, I try my best to glorify God through my attitude and the effort I put into every point.” summed up Wiley.
“As a Christian, I know my tennis game really does not matter that much in the grand scheme of eternity,” stated Tanner. “If I play well, I should rejoice. If I don’t, I know I am going to be with Christ for all eternity, so I have no reason to be angry. I compete to the best of my ability to glorify God.”
So make plans this fall to attend a men’s tennis match at the Wynee Warden Tennis Center to watch two former Knights who are continuing to cultivate godly virtues both on the tennis court and throughout every aspect of their lives.
