Robert Lansdorp From Another Storyteller

[johnyandell]

Let's discuss Mark Winters' article, "Robert Lansdorp From Another Storyteller"

[neilchok]

Great article by Mark Winters. I was hoping he or someone else could elaborate a little more on the entire lesson with Robert, and what are the exact drills he uses. Also it is not clear to me the ideal spot Robert thinks for hitting the ball over the net. In some articles including on this site it is is 2ft above the net, 6 inc to left or right of net strap for cross court shot. In other books it is inches over the net. Was wondering if the author could expound on this, as he is probably one of the few who had seen Robert's lessons live and can give insight into the lessons more.

[johnyandell]

More to come....

[markwinters]

Based on my experience Robert didn’t change his philosophy but, in his way, “taught to the individual...” e.g. Sharapova was longer and lankier than Myskina and their ball striking was different. So, their lessons were “similarly different...” And, as mentioned, their time on court wasn’t a have fun, hit a few, maybe experiment with new shots outing... Robert “produced” these test and made the individual taking the lesson pay... both physically and often, as I brought out, emotionally.

This being the case, his hard and flat dictate wasn’t a “six or eight inches or a foot or foot and a half” concept... and John Yandell in an upcoming article will provide more detail... But I will escape by saying for Robert “closer to...” the net was “don’t hit it” better.

Because of the mechanics he stressed the crosscourt forehand was a staple for those he worked with particularly Austin, Sampras and Davenport but I must quickly add that Pete’s down the line was devastating as was Teltcher’s down the line backhand.

Thanks for the interest expressed...

Mark

[neilchok]

markwinters, johnyandell

Thanks for going more into detail of this. Yes it seemed for this current article, and what Maria said the target was supposed to be "inches" above the baseline. Robert then mentioned the ideal spot for a cross court shot was 2 ft above net, 6 inches to left or right of the net strap. I would assume this was different for down the line.

-Could you also elaborate this point -> "But I will escape by saying for Robert “closer to...” the net was “don’t hit it” better.

-It seem from Maria's book, she said every lesson with Robert was almost identical. And the entire lesson was just side to side. So I am trying to understand the difference between the side the side she mentions in the beginning of the lesson compared to at the end, where he would do 10 balls side to side quickly?

-The other question is how many breaks were there during the lesson? Also while doing the side the side would Robert ask to hit targets, or would this only be when he is feeding in one spot of the court. From the clips on this website, it seems targets were only done while a person was stationary, and trying to hit the tennis can he set above the net.


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(here she seems to be fed in one spot while trying to hit the target)

(here Maria seems to indicate trying to hit just a few inches over the net)

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[don_budge]

Another great story from Mark Winters. Thank you for your insights! I feel as if Robert was a kindred spirit. Tough. Pain. Never needed a second opinion. He actually made the transition into the modern era. Or maybe he just transcended it. Great article!

[markwinters]

Don:

Kind of you to praise... Being a kindred spirit would please Robert since he often stood alone while Transcending...

[don_budge]

Don:

Kind of you to praise... Being a kindred spirit would please Robert since he often stood alone while Transcending...

Thanks again for your lived experience in the field of tennis. Great contributions to "TennisPlayer". Yeah...Robert Landsdorp struck me as the quintessential "stand up" and "stand alone". The kind of man that didn't give a hoot whether it was one against one or ten thousand against one. My kind of guy. One of the greatest compliments I have received on this forum was a poster who mentioned me in the same sentence with Robert. To me...that was worth its weight in gold. Take good care my Friend and have a great Holiday to you and yours.