Juan Martin Del Potro

Ash_Smith · 01-15-2013, 11:18 AM

*Warning: Big first post!

This thread has been inspired by none other than Mats Wilander...

Watching "Game, Set and Mats" on Eurosport (for our friends over the pond it's Eurosports highlights show) and Mats made some "interesting" comments about JMDP's forehand...

"If he hit it properly he could hit it twice as hard, well twice is an exaggeration, but he could hit it much harder with proper technique. It's definitely not the technique you want in the modern game"

So this got me thinking, whilst JMDP's forehand may look a little different how does he fare in the 4 key positions; Preparation, Drive, Impact, Extension/Finish.

Preparation

Looks good so far, shoulders turned, off arm up and across, racquet hand shoulder high, racquet head above wrist, shoulder turned beyond hip (separation angle).

Drive

Still looking good! Buttcap to the ball, elbow externally rotated for stability, hips opening to pull racquet through.

Impact

Still looking good! Elbow stability maintained, internally rotated and in front of the plane of the body, head poised, racquet head slightly below wrist. Liking this (especially as this is off a return!)

Extension/Finish

Pretty text book finish! Good balance, shoulder internal rotation complete, racquet wrapped across, elbow up and away from the body.

So, to summarise - either Mats is way off base or I am missing something!

Thoughts?

*Note: This is off a return so I am not looking at footwork etc

Cheers

01-15-2013, 11:18 AM	#1
Ash_Smith Hall Of Fame Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A green and pleasant land Posts: 2,253	Juan Martin Del Potro Warning: Big first post! This thread has been inspired by none other than Mats Wilander... Watching "Game, Set and Mats" on Eurosport (for our friends over the pond it's Eurosports highlights show) and Mats made some "interesting" comments about JMDP's forehand... "If he hit it properly he could hit it twice as hard, well twice is an exaggeration, but he could hit it much harder with proper technique. It's definitely not the technique you want in the modern game" So this got me thinking, whilst JMDP's forehand may look a little different how does he fare in the 4 key positions; Preparation, Drive, Impact, Extension/Finish. Preparation Looks good so far, shoulders turned, off arm up and across, racquet hand shoulder high, racquet head above wrist, shoulder turned beyond hip (separation angle). Drive Still looking good! Buttcap to the ball, elbow externally rotated for stability, hips opening to pull racquet through. Impact Still looking good! Elbow stability maintained, internally rotated and in front of the plane of the body, head poised, racquet head slightly below wrist. Liking this (especially as this is off a return!) Extension/Finish Pretty text book finish! Good balance, shoulder internal rotation complete, racquet wrapped across, elbow up and away from the body. So, to summarise - either Mats is way off base or I am missing something! Thoughts? Note: This is off a return so I am not looking at footwork etc Cheers __________________ I tweet - @ashtennis guru (no spaces) I Shoot - www.flickr.com/photos/ashtennis guru/ (again no spaces! grrr) Last edited by Ash_Smith : 01-15-2013 at 12:29 PM.

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