As a football player and a tennis player, Adam Keith hears the ribbings from his gridiron counterparts.
"The football players don't like (tennis) as much," said Keith, a freshman-to-be at School of the Osage. He likes tennis enough, though, that he can handle the jokes.
The lake area might have its fair share of golf courses, but some are trying to find room for another individual sport: tennis.
Keith is one of several players currently under the tutelage of coach Tim Garner, a former college tennis player.
Garner, who moved to the lake area in April of 2009, currently coaches a wide-base of clients. Garner said he coaches a 6-year-old girl all the way up to players in their 60s.
He's coached Will Gross and Abby Naudet, both of whom were state qualifiers in tennis at School of the Osage in 2009-10.
"I would love to see tennis thrive here again and it is starting to but it is difficult getting the word out to everyone that tennis is back here at the lake," Garner said.
Naudet says many have a wrong perception of tennis at first.
"They think it's short and doesn't take much effort," she said. "They don't realize how much time you have to invest if you want to be a good player."
Garner said tennis offers a simple, cheap workout. One of the biggest challenges he's had, though, is trying to find courts to play on. Garner does most of his instructing at Country Club Hotel & Spa and the Knolls Condominiums.
"It's pretty much those, Longview and the Camdenton City Park as far as tennis courts go," he said.
About Garner...
Played college tennis at Emporia State University
Pro certified tennis instructor
5 years teaching tennis
Contact number 417-380-2926
What do you like about playing tennis?
Abby Naudet
"It's my favorite sport, I've been playing since I was 6."
Favorite player Serena Williams
Thomas Uhl
"I just have fun playing... I like to serve."
Favorite player Andy Roddick
Adam Keith
"I love training and getting better."
Favorite player Roger Federer
