GUS TETTAMBLE: An Atypical Tennis Journey Leads to Success on the Courts

By: Kelly Hines

Gus Tettamble doesn't consider himself a typical tennis player.

Gus Tettamble Basketball — Gus playing basketball in his youth

While most who make it to the highest levels grew up focusing on tennis on a daily basis, Tettamble was always an athletic kid who played a variety of sports. Before coming to the University of Tulsa, he excelled at basketball and tennis in high school in St. Louis.

"I played everything," he said. "Basketball was my big sport growing up, and tennis was something I did along with it."

This week, Tettamble's focus, as a doubles player, will be on joining his Tulsa teammates in trying to win the American Athletic Conference Championship at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center.

The youngest of three boys, Tettamble came from a lineage of athletes: His grandfather was a boxer who won Golden Gloves; his mother was a standout college softball and volleyball player; and his father played college football.

When Tettamble was in preschool, he was a bundle of energy. His dad, Jack, took him to a neighborhood park with a handball court, and hitting tennis balls there would tire him out and also set the stage for years to come.

"That's kind of how I got introduced to the sport, just banging a tennis ball against a wall at the local park," Tettamble said. "I guess my hand-eye coordination was all right."

Gus Childhood Pic — Gus with his family on
his brother's 13th birthday

Many of Tettamble's lasting memories of his father involved sports. He was only 9 when his dad unexpectedly died from a heart attack a few days before his 50th birthday.

"He showed me the sport (of tennis), so it's kind of nice that I took it and ran with it a little bit," Tettamble said.

When he was a kid, Tettamble connected with a family friend, Rich Henschel, who became his tennis coach and a central figure in his life. They still talk on the phone every day.

"He never charged me a dime for anything," Tettamble said. "He never asked for anything in return. He's been a huge influence on my life. He's kind of filled a lot of voids for me in a lot of different areas."

With Henschel's guidance, Tettamble was considered one of the best tennis players in the region by junior high. In high school, he ultimately quit basketball in favor of tennis and proved he was the best singles player in Missouri, going 27-0 as a senior on his way to a state title.

When it came time to choose a college, TU was a clear winner because of its proximity to home, its top-tier tennis facilities and the successful program built by Vince Westbrook.

"It made so much sense to go here," Tettamble said. "My mom and I took the tour just kind of nodding our heads at each other."

Instead of having to make the rapid transition to college tennis, Tettamble benefited from a redshirt season last year spent learning from the Hurricane's six seniors. Being part of a close-knit team also was a welcome change after playing on his own at the junior level.

Gus and his family — Gus with his family at the
Case Tennis Center

"It was the perfect scenario for me coming into a new environment, a new city, a new college," Tettamble said. "Having six seniors who were grown men kind of lead me, kind of show me the ropes a little bit was really important for me."

Last season played a significant role in his emergence as a key piece for the Hurricane in his first year on the court. Tettamble, who also picked up his first ATP points last summer, has been used at No. 2 doubles alongside more than half of his teammates.

Gus and his mentor Rich Henschel — Gus with his
mentor Rich Henschel

"I take a lot of pride in that because I feel like the coaches think they can put me with anybody and we will mesh together well," Tettamble said.

The family of Tettamble, one of only two TU players from the United States, travels from as far as Chicago for matches at the Case Tennis Center.

"My teammates have gotten to know them well, and it kind of gives them a sense of community, a sense of family being far away from their own families," Tettamble said. "I definitely don't take it for granted."

GUS TETTAMBLE: An Atypical Tennis Journey Leads to Success on the Courts

Players Mentioned

Gus Tettamble

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