We lost a legend last Thursday. Lenny Simpson was 76.
Lenny Simpson started his journey in tennis when he was five years old, playing regularly on the court of another tennis great, Hubert A. Eaton. From there, the young Simpson made his debut on Dr. Whirlwind Johnson’s Junior Development at the age of nine.
During his career, Simpson was ranked in the top ten of every division during the 1960s. He was mentored by legends like Arthur Ashe and won the 1967 National Prep School Championship and the ATA National Mixed Doubles four consecutive times from 1967 to 1971.
After retirement, Simpson got involved in community service in Wilmington, North Carolina, and combined his love of tennis with helping the youth. In 2013, the Hall Of Fame player established the Lenny Simpson Tennis And Education Funds, a tennis program designed to help at-risk youth. Simpson was also the executive director of One Love Tennis. In an interview with WCET to promote his book, In The Shadow Of Tennis Legends, Simpson stated that he wanted to “give back to people what they did for me.”
Give back, he did, including to me. I feel honored to have been a small part of Simpson’s incredible legacy.
It was November 3rd, 2023. I was searching for new athletes and sports officials to interview for future articles and stumbled across Simpson’s Facebook page. After reading his story, I figured he would be a great person to interview. I messaged him via email and waited. Then, on November 7th, I got a response. “Good evening, Kadin. I would like to talk to you about your column. I am sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you. Please give me a call back as soon as possible about the interview. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you.”
Courtesy Goodreads
I was ecstatic at the opportunity. Lenny Simpson, a tennis legend, wanted me to interview him?! It was a dream come true for a writer like me. The following morning, I called his number as soon as possible and was met with Simpson’s voice. During our chat, I expressed my excitement about interviewing such a legend as himself. We eventually made a deal because he was cautious about interviews, which I respected. If I sent him my work, he’d see about the interview.
I obliged and sent him some of my best work. A few days later, on November 17th, he asked me to call him again. I told Simpson I’d follow up with him the following morning, but unfortunately, the call had to be postponed twice because of personal issues on my end.
We eventually talked on December 1st; it was my life’s best two minutes. He gave me his email, and I sent him the questions I had for him as soon as possible. “I’ll get these done as soon possible,” Simpson told me. “Thank you, sir,” I said. “Have a lovely holiday.”
It would be the last time we would speak.
Before writing this piece, I called JoAnn, Simpson’s wife and expressed my condolences and shock at his death. She stated that Lenny was very excited to do the interview with me and loved what I was doing. This statement alone meant the world to me. I asked her if I could make this tribute for him, and she gave me some of the best advice I’ve ever heard, “Do whatever you feel is best.” Those words will motivate me for the rest of my life.
Courtesy WWAY-TV3
I then reached out to people who knew Simpson. They included Louis Boiling, an employee of the U.S. Tennis Association and the author of an article on TSC to promote Simpson’s book. Bolling initially met Coach during his time in Philly in 2009, when he came to support the Arthur Ashe/South Africa project we created. He flew from North Carolina on his own dime, sharing he was getting ready to create One Love. Another associate, Gabriel Baldwin, said, “Coach was like a friend, my coach, and family to me. He told us all one day that when he passes, one of us will have to take over the mantle.”
As the saying goes, we stand on the shoulders of greatness. Lenny Simpson was nothing short of greatness, both on and off the court. Thank you so much for letting me be a small part of your legacy, Lenny. You will be missed but never forgotten.
“Remember that we are all handed adversity in our lives. No one’s business is easy. It’s how we handle that. How we help others makes us unique.” Lois Lane.
