A Few Words on the Passing of Robert Lansdorp

[John Yandell]

Let's get your thoughts on Barry Buss' article, "A Few Words on the Passing of Robert Lansdorp"

[jeffreycounts]

Really enjoyed this article about the great Robert Lansdorp from Barry. It's hard to believe a guy who coached five grand slam champions, with a personality to match, didn't start his own academy and rake in millions of dollars like Nick Bollettieri did. Or Rick Macci. Or Patrick Mouratoglou. I'm sure it was frustrating to him. Also the topspin revolution was probably a bummer as well. At least he was given a USTA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005 and was honored as a Team USA Coaching Legend. Clearly a complicated man with rough edges who left a remarkable legacy.

[stroke]

Really enjoyed this article about the great Robert Lansdorp from Barry. It's hard to believe a guy who coached five grand slam champions, with a personality to match, didn't start his own academy and rake in millions of dollars like Nick Bollettieri did. Or Rick Macci. Or Patrick Mouratoglou. I'm sure it was frustrating to him. Also the topspin revolution was probably a bummer as well. At least he was given a USTA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005 and was honored as a Team USA Coaching Legend. Clearly a complicated man with rough edges who left a remarkable legacy.

I think I read one time he refused to let any players with a western grip play on his court(not sure if it is actually true). If so, that is taking a hard stand.

[jeffreycounts]

I think I read one time he refused to let any players with a western grip play on his court(not sure if it is actually true). If so, that is taking a hard stand.

That's funny, but not surprising if true. The game really shifted with the grips and topspin. He was right for his era where the Landsorp forehand was a real weapon. But things really changed with the grips and the strings and the frames. Now you get a guy like Giovanni Perricard blasting the ball looking nothing like the Lansdorp forehand. I saw Gio over the summer practicing and it was scary how hard he hit the ball.

[stroke]

That's funny, but not surprising if true. The game really shifted with the grips and topspin. He was right for his era where the Landsorp forehand was a real weapon. But things really changed with the grips and the strings and the frames. Now you get a guy like Giovanni Perricard blasting the ball looking nothing like the Lansdorp forehand. I saw Gio over the summer practicing and it was scary how hard he hit the ball.

Yes, someone like Lindsey Davenport was kind of a template for the Landsorp forehand.

[neilchok]

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this is an excerpt from a book linked to Maria Sharapova.image.png
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[neilchok]

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[neilchok]

https://www.tennislegendslegacy.com/#/robertlansdorp/

at 57:29 he talks about how he would coach someone brand new. He said he would teach them western forehand. Open stance and closed stance forehand and backhand. On backhand he would teach continental with right hand and western with left hand

[don_budge]

https://www.tennislegendslegacy.com/#/robertlansdorp/
at 57:29 he talks about how he would coach someone brand new. He said he would teach them western forehand. Open stance and closed stance forehand and backhand. On backhand he would teach continental with right hand and western with left hand

A fantastic revealing interview of a tremendous coach and a rare human being. Old school for sure. He didn't need a second opinion. Almost out of the Bobby Knight playbook. Thanks for sharing neilchok.

[stroke]

https://www.tennislegendslegacy.com/#/robertlansdorp/
at 57:29 he talks about how he would coach someone brand new. He said he would teach them western forehand. Open stance and closed stance forehand and backhand. On backhand he would teach continental with right hand and western with left hand

That is super interesting and surprising to me, but certainly shows an admirable trait, the ability to question everything, even our own notions.