Multisport Brothers Lead Chan Tennis Team
Chanhassen tennis co-captains Alex and Drew Jensen.
High school seniors Drew and Alex Jensen are going from the bright lights of the state high school hockey championship game to the hard courts in Chanhassen, where the twin brothers have been named co-captains of the Storm tennis team this spring season.
Drew and Alex talked about their tennis careers, starting a pickleball league, playing in the state high school hockey championship game, and more.
Multisport athletes are harder and harder to come by, at what age did you think tennis could be a high school sport for you? Who influenced you the most to pursue tennis at a high level?
Drew: We would go hit as young kids, but never thought we would be playing at the level we are at. When we first walked into tryouts freshman year, we had no idea what to expect, but it’s been a blast since the first day.
Alex: We never had much of an influence to play high school tennis, but our grandpa Gary introduced us to every racquet sport imaginable. Tennis just stuck and we have loved it ever since.
As co-captains, what are your leadership styles?
Drew: Our leadership styles are quite opposite. Alex is a lead by example type of captain, as I am a lot more vocal, with an outgoing style.
As varsity hockey players, when do you find time to practice your tennis game in the winter and where do you play most often?
Alex: Hockey is a long season with a lot of commitment to the team, but we always try and hit whenever we can. Indoor courts can be tough to find closer to our house so we try and find whatever we can.
Alex and Drew celebrate the Section 2AA hockey championship, sending Chanhassen to the state tournament for the first time in program history.
20,000 screaming fans at Xcel Energy Center, how did an individual sport like tennis help you deal with the pressure of the high school hockey state tournament?
Drew: Tennis was super helpful, by just focusing on the things you can control and staying focused every second – those were valuable lessons from tennis that you can apply into anything in life.
You two are also both accomplished pickleball players, instrumental in starting an intramural pickleball league at your high school. How did you get involved in pickleball, how many kids are playing, and has pickleball affected (helped or hurt) your tennis game?
Alex: Drew started the league our sophomore year of high school, and it kind of blew up right away. We started playing pickleball in 2012, before the whole sport got as big as it is now. With over 40 members weekly, it’s been awesome to see everyone get into it. I would say it has helped our game for sure, a lot of the same strokes and movements as tennis.
As brothers, there must have been many heated matches between you two growing up, and even today. What's your relationship like, on and off the court?
Drew: It's great. We do everything together and all of our matches in anything are super competitive. It gets intense out there on the court but it's always a great time.
You are both regular customers of Michael Lynne's. Why drive from Chan to St. Louis Park?
Drew: Out of all the stores we've been to, Michael Lynne’s has the best selection, amazing service, and knowledgeable employees. They have everything we need for tennis and pickleball, and getting to demo racquets and paddles has been awesome when choosing what racquet or paddle we choose. It makes the drive well worth it.
Alex: To be honest, wherever we lived in the state, the selection, service and experience of the staff make the drive well worth it. Whatever we are looking for, we know Michael Lynne's will have it.
Alex, you made the news with over 60,000 views on X (formerly Twitter) because of your sportsmanship. After the heartbreaking state hockey championship loss, you picked up the puck and skated it over to Edina's coach, Curt Giles. What were your thoughts?
Alex: I saw the puck laying at center ice and thought Edina's coach would want the game puck. Days later I heard it was all over Twitter. I would have rather been the one celebrating the championship but happy their coach has the puck.
