Interactive Forum: August 2009 Juan Martin Del Potro Forehands

[EricMatuszewski]

How do you keep your forehand steady, yet devastating?

Juan Martin Del Potro seems to have the answer.

You start with having a 6'6" wingspan, you do away with any notion of trying to outspin Nadal, and you keep your backswing as simplified as possible.

Del Potro idolized Pete Sampras growing up, but notice how much simpler his preparation is than a his hero's.

Was this simplification more necessary because of Del Potro's longer limbs, or should all players strive to keep their backswings as simple as the Argentine's?
Juan Martin Del Potro: Forehands

[EricMatuszewski]

Quicktime Version

[uspta2712824457]

Personally I am a big fan of this forehand. Simply because I can translate some keys into my own shot. It's not the greatest on tour, and possibly not his best shot (many say it's his backhand). Not your typical South American Forehand! No extreme grips or massive amount of topspin. The grip is fairly conservative and the unit turn is nice, but not too extreme. You can see his great extension of his hitting arm through contact. When watching him play it's obvious the drive and depth he gets on his shots. Very penetrating. He does manage to get under the ball a bit. There is some great video of him on youtube hitting some great forehands as well as other shots. This gives you a better look at his arm position and action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzTvN_v1g4Q&feature=related

[uspta1064696484]

Straight Arm or Double Bend

I was wondering whether you guys think Del Potro hits with the straight arm or double bend. Not sure looks in between.


-Jeff

[uspta990770809]

Not quite straight; not quite bent

I was wondering whether you guys think Del Potro hits with the straight arm or double bend. Not sure looks in between.


-Jeff

I would have to say Juan Martin's arm is not quite as straight as Verdasco or Nadal at contact, but he is also not nearly as bent as an Agassi or a Sampras. i'd say he is almost straight and closer to straight than a true bent-bent. But his proportions make things a little different.
don

[uspta2712824457]

Not bent, not straight

I have been looking at Del Potro's forehand alot recently. I do have to agree with Don and say that Del Potro certainly is not as straight as the spanish players he mentioned. However, It's very difficult for me to consider it a true double bend. If I had to label hit, I would say it's a straight arm with contact further back than the known contact point of this specific shot. Whatever it is, I still like it.

[uspta146749877]

An article in a recent issue of the tennis magazine

See an article in a recent issue of the tennis magazine on the related subject

http://www.tennis.com/yourgame/instructionarticles/forehand/forehand.aspx?id=182022

julian mielniczuk
usptapro 27873

[jperedo]

Reminds me a lot of this guy.

Both combine a fairly externally rotated upper arm in the takeback, with elbow extension during the forward hip turn.

[airforce1]

I was wondering whether you guys think Del Potro hits with the straight arm or double bend. Not sure looks in between.

-Jeff

good question, as live, it looks pretty straight to me, but in pause, the bend is clearly there to some extent.
Looks to be in line with the MTM hitting style. Would you agree Jeff?

[uspta1064696484]

Straight

Hey,

I agree its pretty straight with a slight bend. What is the MTM hitting style?

-Jeff

[airforce1]

Hey,

I agree its pretty straight with a slight bend. What is the MTM hitting style?

-Jeff

Sorry, I had you confused with jeff counts.
MTM is Modern Teaching Methods. Pretty widely used internationally I understand.
JC is pretty familiar I believe.