Twin Power on the Court: Meet Abhay and Tarun
If you’ve spent any time at TCSP this summer, chances are you’ve spotted two energetic, focused young players rallying on the courts — meet Abhay and Tarun our 10-year-old twin tennis stars (soon to be 11!).
Abhay is the older twin by two minutes, but Tarun holds the height advantage by two inches — and both bring their own unique style and strengths to the game. Born into a family with Indian roots, the twins have cousins in San Francisco and Boston and travel to India every year to stay connected with their heritage.
Off the court, their interests are just as impressive. They’ve been playing piano since kindergarten and are regular performers at recitals. They’ve tried their hands at baseball, basketball, soccer, and badminton, but nothing stuck quite like tennis. Tarun, always up for a challenge, is also a Rubik’s Cube enthusiast — it’s not unusual to see him solving one between sets.
From Mini Racquets to Full Swings
The boys picked up their first tennis racquets at age five, beginning their journey at Tennis Center Sandpoint under the guidance of “the old Piper.” Since then, they’ve trained with both coaches named Piper here at the club, becoming familiar faces at our courts. Like many, their journey paused during COVID, but once they returned, they came back stronger and more passionate than ever.
This summer, they were a near-constant presence — attending seven out of nine weeks of junior tennis camp at TCSP! Their twin dynamic is a key part of their growth: they’re each other’s toughest opponent and most reliable partner. Whether rallying or playing doubles, they push each other to improve daily.
Skills Sharpened and Goals Set
Both have made major strides this summer. Tarun has developed a solid backhand and now welcomes net play with improving volleys — a big leap from earlier days of avoiding the net altogether. He even started the summer in a sling due to an injury but bounced back to full form within weeks.
When asked what skills they’d borrow from each other, Abhay quickly points to Tarun’s power and volleying skills, while Tarun admires Abhay’s consistent and strong backhand.
Their favorite summer tennis memories? For Abhay, it was all about singles matches and competition. Tarun, inspired by Wimbledon and the US Open, leaned into doubles and loved the teamwork it demanded. They both admitted to muscle soreness and a few foot cramps early in the summer — a true sign of hard work.
On-Court Inspiration
When it comes to tennis idols, Abhay looks up to Jannik Sinner for his endurance and mental focus, while Tarun is a big fan of Frances Tiafoe, calling him “fun to watch” and admiring his explosive style of play.
Despite their dedication, the twins keep things simple before matches — no superstitions, no rituals, just pure love for the game and a strong sibling rivalry that drives them to give their best.
Keep an eye out for Abhay and Tarun — two rising stars who embody what junior tennis at TCSP is all about: passion, perseverance, and a whole lot of fun.
