Oglethorpe standout overcomes heartbreak and seizes his moment on home court in pro tennis’s bold new format

Atlanta, GA — Atlanta’s own Kellen Simmons made his debut in the INTENNSE™ Challenge Series last weekend, stepping into the team competition after an unforgettable roller coaster of near misses, determination, and hometown support.

Two weeks earlier, Simmons was on the brink of earning his way onto the Challenge Series roster but fell heartbreakingly short. Yet last weekend, in front of friends, family, and an electrified crowd, he completed his comeback story, securing his spot on the INTENNSE Challenge team and finally getting the chance to play under the lights.

“When you go through heartbreak like that, it makes you want to play even more,” Simmons said. “I told myself, I have to do this again. This can’t be the last time I step on these courts.”

The Setback That Fueled His Fire

Simmons’ first attempt to make the INTENNSE roster was a whirlwind of highs and lows. On the opening day, he thought his tournament was over after finishing third in his group. “That weekend was really an emotional roller coaster from the first day,” he said. “I actually came third in my group, so I didn’t think I made it. But then, because we didn’t have a full draw of 16, I still made it on points differential.”

That unexpected chance fueled his determination. “I was just hitting on the court after my friend who already made it,” he said. “And I thought, man, I really want to play this again next weekend. It sucked thinking I wasn’t moving on.”

Friday brought hope when he beat an opponent who had dominated him years earlier, but the semifinals turned heartbreaking. “I was winning, and I had it,” Simmons recalled. “In my head, I didn’t want to think about the prize money or. It’s frightening. It’s one minute away. And when you get in a situation like that, sometimes you don’t know how to play. Whether to be aggressive or conservative. And he took the match. He played really well and closed out under pressure.”

Still reeling from that loss, Simmons had to jump right into a third-place match, a mental test like few in tennis. “It’s not normal in tennis where you have a heartbreaking loss, but somehow you have to get over it right away,” he said. “It was so tough to mentally recover and go clean slate against Simon. I came out frustrated and wasn’t patient, and Simon played amazing and took advantage.”

Despite battling through every point, Simmons missed out on the team roster and any prize money that weekend. “It was a bummer for me because I knew how close I was,” he admitted. “Of course, it’s one thing to lose that semis, but then to not get it done in the third-place match… that sucked. It just piles on.” 

The Return and Redemption

Instead of letting that setback define him, Simmons signed up again for the following week. Determined to make the team, he came back stronger, finishing first in his group and once again facing Danny in the semifinals.

“In my head, I was telling myself, ‘This time you’ve got to lead, manage the clock better, play so much better,’” he said. “When I got down a little bit, I kept telling myself, ‘No, not again. This cannot be happening.’”

Though Danny edged him out again in the semis, Simmons refused to let history repeat itself. He reset, took a deep breath, and won his third-place match against Marcel, finally clinching his spot on the INTENNSE team. “It felt amazing,” he said, his voice filled with relief. “I was probably really close to tears because of what happened before and not going home with any prize money, not making the team. It was something I wanted so bad.”

Thriving in the INTENNSE Arena

When Simmons stepped into the INTENNSE environment last weekend, it felt like he’d entered a whole new world of tennis. The Challenge Series’ high-octane format, complete with roaring fans, music, and team strategy, was a dramatic shift from traditional matches.

“It was honestly one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had in my life,” he said. “Just from practicing with the team, working with a coach like Stokke, who’s coached Duke, to getting our new uniforms. It goes from being an individual competition to having people supporting you.”

Even though he didn’t initially play singles during the duel, Simmons stayed focused and ready for his moment. “In college tennis, I played line one for my team. I’m usually leading the team. But for me, it doesn’t matter how many points I win or how many minutes I play. We’re not going to get any prize money unless the team wins. My main focus was just: when I come in, can I make a positive impact on the team?”

When his time came to step in for doubles, the moment was electric. “I remember the first point, I hit a kick serve, and they missed the return,” he said, grinning. “Hearing the pop from the crowd was so cool. It took away all my nerves immediately. I just felt comfortable and so excited.”

Atlanta Pride and the Future

The roar of the Atlanta crowd made Simmons’ debut even more unforgettable. “My mom made sure everybody knew I was playing,” he laughed. “There was no disappointment in how many people came out. A lot of people I grew up playing with or even worked under came out to support me. They were loud and energetic, and it got me going immediately.”

Beyond personal triumph, Simmons sees the INTENNSE Challenge Series as a transformative stage for players like him. “There’s nothing like this,” he said. “You’re out there on your own in the qualifiers, but then you come into the arena, and it’s a team, it’s energy, it’s fans. It’s an amazing opportunity.”

Looking ahead, Simmons is determined to keep proving himself. “I’m definitely going to be there this weekend for sure,” he said. “I really want to make the team again and hopefully this time play singles. But I just want to help the team win no matter what.”