Lake Forest High School's Tarwid is No Ordinary Freshman, Tennis Player

A freshman playing No. 1 singles on a high school varsity team is a rarity reserved for a special athlete. Peter Tarwid is that kind of player. 

“It’s very rare to put a freshman at No. 1,” said. “I usually like to match them with a senior in doubles." 

and he is no ordinary player. The Scouts top performer is ranked fifth in the Midwest in the 14 and under division and 49th in the 16 and unders by the United States Tennis Association (USTA). He achieved that status while 13. He will continue in that division until August. 

An intense competitor, Tarwid enjoys the individual nature of tennis. He likes getting all the credit for a victory. He also knows he has no one to blame for his failures but himself. The failures are becoming fewer and fewer. 

“You’re out there all by yourself,” Tarwid said. “You are in control. If you make a mistake, it’s your fault.” 

High school tennis has been an adjustment. Tarwid finds the individual nature of the sport appealing, but has found a new joy having a cheering section and being part of one. 

“I like my team spirit. It’s different than the USTA,” Tarwid said. “They cheer for you and I cheer for them.”

In his USTA events, the only cheering section he ever has are his coach and family.

In an early season match, Tarwid lost in straight sets to Glenbrook North’s Brian Levisa, one of the players he must contend with if he wants to reach the State Meet later this month. A week ago they met again and Tarwid drubbed the Spartan, 6-0, 6-2. 

“I feel I’m getting a lot better,” Tarwid said of his progress.

Leighton agreed, and won't be surprised to see Tarwid make that State goal.

“He has a good shot,” Leighton said.

Tarwid has also learned to control his frustrations when he makes mistakes on the court. He has seen too many players lose concentration after a few bad shots. Then they drop the match. He will not let that happen. 

“I go to the back fence, tap my racket five times, think about something else, tap it (the racket) five more times and then go back and play,” Tarwid said. “It works.” 

Starting to hit the ball with a racket at age 5, Tarwid played his first USTA tournament at 9 at the College Park courts in Deerfield. Though his first ranking was “in the three thousands”, he still considers that tourney a highlight of his career. 

“It was fantastic to be playing against players like that, seeing my name in the rankings,” Tarwid said. He became determined to see the ranking improve after his first taste of tournament competition. 

After two years training at the College Park courts, Tarwid met a new coach, Sylvain Guichard of the . His ranking began to climb as Guichard helped tweak his game. 

“He was more than a coach. He really cared about all his players,” Tarwid said. “He would hit with me at 10 (p.m.) after everyone else had left. He would pick me up at home and drop me off.” 

Guichard was a strong mentor as well. He taught Tarwid strategy and tenacity. The young Scout learned how to work harder the more tired he became. “He helped me pick up my game,” Tarwid said. “He had me keep going no matter how tired I was.” 

A few months ago, Tarwid had to make another adjustment when Guichard was named coach of the USTA girls team. Guichard moved to Florida, and Tarwid moved under the tutelage of Peter Krizman at the Lake Bluff club. 

“He keeps in touch with Sylvain (Guichard),” Tarwid said. “He’s helped me keep everything up. He helps me a lot with my volley. He’s an expert on volley.”