RIP: John Yandell. A tennis pioneer

[JoeSixPack]

Sad news, indeed. Another great Northern California tennis instructor, Jim McClennan, passed away early last year. Jim helped to build one of the first online instructional tennis websites— Tennis One. That site included a lot of videos and other content that were eventually absorbed into John Yandell’s Tennisplayer website. I hope that someone keeps John Yandell’s wonderful resource going so that all of the content he produced and collected isn’t lost to the world. That would be the best tribute to him of all.

 

[ChaelAZ]

Well bummer. Had a few exchanges on the forums over the years and always appreciated his input and insights, but never got to meet him personally. All the best to the family and friends.

 

[dannyslicer]

Tennis players can live 10 years longer. How the sport supports physical, mental, and social health | Fortune

In awe watching the U.S. Open? It's never too late to pick up the sport.

fortune.com

Observational studies.
Confirmed idiot

 

[sureshs]

From website:

To the Tennisplayer Community,​

It is with deep sadness that I share the news of John Yandell's passing. His ground breaking work — revolutionizing tennis instruction through 'Visual Tennis' and the 'Hidden Game' of slow-motion video analysis — has left an indelible mark on players and coaches around the globe.

John''s wish was for Tennisplayer to continue. As we mourn his loss, our core team remains committed to this mission. We will continue producing new issues, featuring fresh articles and video content, just as we have for the past 20 years.

John entrusted the future of Tennisplayer to his wife of 26 years, Isabel, who was instrumental in creating Tennisplayer and has been a partner in marketing and content development ever since. She is committed to maintaining the high standards of content you enjoy and expanding on John's unique vision. Please read Isabel's message below.

If you would like to chat about John with others in the Tennisplayer community, please join the conversation in the Forum.

Thank you for being part of this journey and for honoring John’s legacy with us.

Jeff Counts
Associate Editor
Tennisplayer.net

I want to thank you all for the many messages of support and condolences I have received over the last few weeks. Your care and support have meant a lot in these difficult times. One of John's last wishes was that the site continue to provide education, inspiration, and a platform for exceptional tennis instruction. I am committed to honoring his legacy and vision.

I have convened a trusted team of advisors, and we are working on supporting and building the best team to ensure the continuation and expansion of John's vision. In the short term, new issues will continue to be published monthly, including content John created which has not yet been featured in Tennisplayer.

As we move forward, we need to prioritize the work that matters most to members. Our commitment is to deliver the quality content you have come to expect. Additionally, stay on the lookout for a member survey coming out next week that will help guide us as we plan for the future.

In deep appreciation for your support,

Isabel Santis, PhD, MA
Wife of John Yandell and Associate Editor, Tennisplayer.net

 

[sureshs]

If you were receiving email from tennis player, check your spam. The new emails are coming from a different email address (jeff counts)

 

[useframesavestrings]

RIP and respect to one of TT’s HOFers

 

[nyta2]

From website:

To the Tennisplayer Community,​

It is with deep sadness that I share the news of John Yandell's passing. His ground breaking work — revolutionizing tennis instruction through 'Visual Tennis' and the 'Hidden Game' of slow-motion video analysis — has left an indelible mark on players and coaches around the globe.

John''s wish was for Tennisplayer to continue. As we mourn his loss, our core team remains committed to this mission. We will continue producing new issues, featuring fresh articles and video content, just as we have for the past 20 years.

John entrusted the future of Tennisplayer to his wife of 26 years, Isabel, who was instrumental in creating Tennisplayer and has been a partner in marketing and content development ever since. She is committed to maintaining the high standards of content you enjoy and expanding on John's unique vision. Please read Isabel's message below.

If you would like to chat about John with others in the Tennisplayer community, please join the conversation in the Forum.

Thank you for being part of this journey and for honoring John’s legacy with us.

Jeff Counts
Associate Editor
Tennisplayer.net

I want to thank you all for the many messages of support and condolences I have received over the last few weeks. Your care and support have meant a lot in these difficult times. One of John's last wishes was that the site continue to provide education, inspiration, and a platform for exceptional tennis instruction. I am committed to honoring his legacy and vision.

I have convened a trusted team of advisors, and we are working on supporting and building the best team to ensure the continuation and expansion of John's vision. In the short term, new issues will continue to be published monthly, including content John created which has not yet been featured in Tennisplayer.

As we move forward, we need to prioritize the work that matters most to members. Our commitment is to deliver the quality content you have come to expect. Additionally, stay on the lookout for a member survey coming out next week that will help guide us as we plan for the future.

In deep appreciation for your support,

Isabel Santis, PhD, MA
Wife of John Yandell and Associate Editor, Tennisplayer.net

you or anyone else a member of tennisplayer.net?

was thinking of joining again, but wondering how the content/conversation is over there?

ironically it didn't seem like folks discussed technique much over there? if i recall, it seemed more like a commentary on pro players... also i think yt took over (for me) wrt the volume of information being produced (compared to the written articles on tennisplayer.net)

 

[sureshs]

you or anyone else a member of tennisplayer.net?

was thinking of joining again, but wondering how the content/conversation is over there?

ironically it didn't seem like folks discussed technique much over there? if i recall, it seemed more like a commentary on pro players... also i think yt took over (for me) wrt the volume of information being produced (compared to the written articles on tennisplayer.net)

I am not a member but somehow receive emails from the site.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

you or anyone else a member of tennisplayer.net?

was thinking of joining again, but wondering how the content/conversation is over there?

ironically it didn't seem like folks discussed technique much over there? if i recall, it seemed more like a commentary on pro players... also i think yt took over (for me) wrt the volume of information being produced (compared to the written articles on tennisplayer.net)

Not currently but was a member a lifetime ago. More than a decade ago… 15+ years ago? Have been getting the Newsletter for quite some time. Periodically check out the free content. Google searches in the past decade have brought up some of their forum discussions— some of it is discussions of some aspects of technique.

 

[onehandbh]

Not currently but was a member a lifetime ago. More than a decade ago… 15+ years ago? Have been getting the Newsletter for quite some time. Periodically check out the free content. Google searches in the past decade have brought up some of their forum discussions— some of it is discussions of some aspects of technique.

I was a member awhile back, too, and still get the newsletters.

One of the things I liked the most were the articles/tips coaches.

And also, the different angles in slow motion of the top pros. At the time phones could not record at a high frame rate. Pretty much every phone can shoot 240 fps or faster now. Still not up to Phantom camera speeds, but for most purposes, that's overkill.

Would be great if they could get interviews and videos with coaches from the current top players.

 

[EP1998]

I have met John, I wish I'd kept in better contact with him. Super nice guy. Very sad news.

 

[Scott H]

Super sad news. I interacted with John dozens of times when we were both out at GGP. I would always make sure to attend his presentation when I went to USPTA conferences. Great guy! We had drinks many times and we would tell stories about all things tennis related. Miss his smile and laugh. RIP Yandy!

 

[sureshs]

From email:

Dear friends in the TennisPlayer.net community,

The past few months, since the passing of my husband, John Yandell, the founder of TennisPlayer.net, have been filled with both challenges and reflection. One of the biggest questions has been how to carry forward John’s vision of delivering the highest-quality tennis instruction and insights.

Thanks to the dedication of our team, we’ve continued to publish each issue while searching for leadership that could honor John’s legacy and also guide TennisPlayer.net into its next chapter. I’m delighted to share that we’ve found just that.

Please join me in welcoming Joel Drucker as our new Editor in Chief and Matt Pressman as our new Publisher. Together, they bring a wealth of tennis knowledge, writing, publishing, and media experience, which that will strengthen and expand TennisPlayer.net for the future. You can read more about their backgrounds below.

I also want to express my deep gratitude to the team that has kept TennisPlayer.net thriving during this transition:

• Giancarlo (GC) Adriani, who has been with John and the site since its inception
• Jeff Counts, who stepped in as interim editor at a critical moment
• Manish Mukherjee, who is leading a full site redesign, set to launch this Fall

And to our board of advisors — Kyle LaCroix, Aj Chabria, and Brian Gordon — thank you for your invaluable support and guidance.

In the weeks ahead, you’ll have the chance to hear more from Joel and Matt about our editorial direction and vision for the future. We remain committed to bringing you the best in tennis content, and we’re excited to share what’s next.

Stay tuned for more updates — and thank you for being part of the TennisPlayer.net community.

With appreciation,
Isabel Santis
Managing Editor

 

[Shroud]

Great news. He will be missed. Amazing coach!

 

[sureshs]

Great news. He will be missed. Amazing coach!

He taught you how to hit a forehand, right?

 

[Shroud]

He taught you how to hit a forehand, right?

Yes. Even did a writeup on his site. Sadly I have forgotten some of the teaching and am not on the site anymore to see the write up.

He also helped with my serve. Sadly I wasn’t talented enough to incorporate the things he wanted me to do. Well I WAS able to do the footwork after the lesson but over time reverted. And the pronation I never could do

Muscle memory is like a cocaine addiction. Relapses are real

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Never did find an obit or notice of a funeral services for JY. Rather Odd.

Looks like his middle initial was H according to National Public Data — John H Yandell born in 1952 and lived in SF. Younger brother, George S Yandell (1954). Mother, Cynthia Yandell. Wife, Isabel Santis

Scott Yandell, brother? Any other leads / details?

 

[Scott H]

I never heard that the family did anything for the public/friends.