With slush on the ground and a chill in the air, tennis is far from the minds of the average person. But for juniors Anders and Soren Swenson, it is an ever-present thought. “There is no off-season,” said Anders Swenson.
Soren Swenson and Anders Swenson are twins who started playing tennis with each other when they were only five years old. “I guess I started tennis because my dad and brother played it,” said Soren Swenson. Both brothers play singles tennis, which uses smaller boundaries and plays without a partner. However, siblings on the tennis team are a surprisingly common occurrence. Last year, on the boys’ tennis team alone, seven pairs of siblings competed for the same team.
A good play style is crucial in any sport, and Soren Swenson takes the active path, describing his play as “aggressive and creative,” while Anders Swenson said he does not pay attention to his playstile, instead just trying to play well.
For the twins, practice is often and varied. “Some days I’ll do more drills; some days I’ll do match play and point play,” said Soren Swenson. During the winter, tennis players can play in one of the many indoor courts in the Twin Cities area to keep practicing for the competitive season.
Last year, Soren Swenson won the Class AA state tennis tournament. Although he won the state title, he still has many ambitions and goals. “Win state again, improve my game to one of the highest levels, and play in college and go pro.” Anders Swenson aspires similarly, wanting “to play in college [and] be competitive in tennis.”

Tennis isn’t just about competition and striving to be the best. It’s also about the process of practice and those you meet while in it. Anders Swenson identified the connections he has made in the tennis team as a high point in his career. “I’ve really enjoyed connecting with other players during high school tennis.” While the sport is individual in nature , the practice of it is communal. “I practice in a group or just hit balls with my friends,” said Anders Swenson.
To stick with something for over 11 years takes drive. For both brothers, betterment and ambition to compete at even higher levels kept them in the game. “Just to be the best I can be,” Soren Swenson said, describing his ambition. “I want to be as good as my brother and improve myself.”
As of now, Soren Swenson is committed to the University of Wisconsin–Madison after their tennis coach reached out. “The coach watched me play, and over the next few months we talked about going to Wisconsin.” The University of Wisconsin competes in the Big Ten conference and had strong showings in years past, finishing third in the Big Ten Tournament in the 2021-2022 season and qualifying in all years since. Anders Swenson also hopes to play in college, and both brothers are currently preparing for the 2026 season.