Del Potro hits such a "linear" forehand compared to other pros. He drops his non-hitting arm in order to maintain the level of both shoulders, and strike the ball in that straight line. I've seen him in rallies hit with a more vertical stroke to get heavy topspin, and I'd like to compare that forehand to his normal one.
Great observations. You point out an interesting fact as to why he drops his non-hitting arm - to keep his shoulders "level" through the stroke. Thank you for your comment. I am currently working on doing a forehand analysis on Jack Sock. Wait to you see his non-hitting arm, very interesting. When I am done with that video I will look through my Del Potro footage to see if I have any forehands with him with a more vertical stroke. John Frausto
Notice that his left (non-hitting arm) swings out in opposition to his racket arm until the ball is struck. As his shoulders spin, both arms are swinging extended. Any momentum from the wide swinging left arm can now be transferred through the chest to the hitting arm. His upper body becomes a balanced "ferris wheel" spinning on a spinal bearing while getting maximum usable rotation momentum. It is just like he's hitting two balls. One directly forward and another 180 degrees backward (but not really) with the non racket arm. Immediately on contact with the ball, the non racket arm stops rotation and the racket arm finishes swinging.
It appears to me that dropping the non-hitting arm has less to do with his height and more to do with hitting a flatter (straighter) ball than the likes of Federer and Nadal. Dropping that arm keeps the shoulders more level and body more upright (he's almost leaning forward) which decreases the upward swing angle which you observed here. Neither Roger nor Rafa lean into the ball like Delpo. Neither do they hit the ball as flat. Juan's less-closed racket face during the loop serves the same purpose; it limits the stretch-shortening cycle (elastic energy) which would further accelerate the racket head in the upward/topspin direction. He makes full use of elastic energy in the forward, power direction, however. His swing appears designed to generate a laser-beam trajectory. I'm sure that's how Roger would describe it. Rafa, of course, would be on the other end of the topspin spectrum with his closed face and buggy whip preference. Roger would be in the middle. I often wonder how much of these details the players themselves are aware of; is it intentionally designed that way or did they just feel it out? In any case, I think their swing mechanics appear very well designed for their respective styles. Nice observations. I enjoyed the presentation.
Wow, great information. My thought has always been that each player's stroke is unique. There are checkpoints (5 to be exact) but each player's strokes differ than someone elses. A Gulbis video is in the works - you want to talk about unique:) I do know that the pros do play a lot by feel. That's how I play. Thank you for your comment. I really appreciate the depth and insight in it! John Frausto
David, I can see that. The fact that he uses a classic forehand grip (Eastern) may make it look more traditional. Thank you for your comment! John Frausto
That is a great question. I don't prefer any certain backswing, I think you can accomplish the end goal with either. The key is movement to the ball and getting in position to make good contact. Thanks for your comment! JF
Dear Topspin Tennis. Have you ever thought, that left/inactive hand position is up to what shape hitting hand backswing loop is. Its just to balance backswing loop with free hand. Thatswhy "free hand" position is different when ladies are playing in WTA, coz their backswing loop is also, mostly very different compared to ATP ones.
Great point. Yes, the non hitting arm does depend a lot on the height of the take back of the loop. I also think the loop is determined by player preference, speed of the incoming ball (will be less on a faster incoming ball) and the height of the ball you are receiving. I don't understand your question about WTA players. Please clarify. Some outliers on the non hitting arm are Del Potro and Gulbis. Two non hitting arm positions that are completely different. Thank you for your comments. Your input gives me more ideas for future content. Thanks, JF
In this video it looks like he is in an Eastern grip but JorgeAndresCoppian is not far off, Del Potro is between a continental and eastern forehand grip in the link he posted. JF
He drops the non hitting arm on all of his forehands. It works for him. Thank you for your comment. Heigh may not be a factor, it may just be his technique that he has implemented since he was a junior. Thanks, John Frausto
Why do you think Del Potro does not get his strings facing straight down, as Fed often does? It's a bit closed, as you mentioned, but not straight down.
I believe it is due to two things: 1) His eastern forehand grip doesn't allow for a more closed racquet face and 2) His swing path is more level. Thank you for your comment! John Frausto
I have the same Eastern grip as Del Potro. His contact point is way out in front -- ahead of his front foot. Is that a good checkpoint? I am not contacting that far out in front. Maybe even with the front toe.
Ravi San Jose, I would try adjusting your contact point. Get it further out in front and see how it feels. What works for him may not necessarily work for you.
For someone that wants to become pro in today's game is a god idea to copy Del potro' s forehand if you want to become pro knowing that is more old school backswing technique and not the modern atp forehand that the tip of the racket goes more to the outside and not to the back?¿
it's funny how the best three current forehand in the game (fed, rafa and delpo) all are hit with a straight arm and virtually every other pro hits with it bent
Tomas Del Campo, great point. It'll be interesting to see when the women will start adopting the straight arm forehand. Thanks for leaving your comment!
my god. the biggest difference in his forehand swing is it compactness. he is not doing any snappy movements with his backswing. that’s why his non hitting arm is dropped because the arm doesn’t get involved until much later. as much as shoulders turned to 60 degrees into forward swing, if not more. that’s really late. hence really compact. one of the most, if not the most compact swing in the game. amazing thing about this is that del potro’s forehand swing is one of the most powerful while most compact. you gotta mention this if you call this an analysis.
tizmon thank you for your comment. I disagree with you on your reference to his stroke being compact. When I think of a stroke being compact, I think about the path that the racquet travels. Clearly in this video he has a substantial (the length the racquet travels) racquet path. I do agree with you that his stroke is not as "whippy" as others on the tour. I do appreciate your comment and I hope others can chime in on their thoughts. Thanks, John Frausto
Good question. I have never had issues with the non-hitting arm disrupting my view. Do you have a complete "unit turn" on your forehand? I would think if you get a complete turn the arm would not be in the way. Thanks, John
Del Potro hits such a "linear" forehand compared to other pros. He drops his non-hitting arm in order to maintain the level of both shoulders, and strike the ball in that straight line. I've seen him in rallies hit with a more vertical stroke to get heavy topspin, and I'd like to compare that forehand to his normal one.
Great observations. You point out an interesting fact as to why he drops his non-hitting arm - to keep his shoulders "level" through the stroke. Thank you for your comment. I am currently working on doing a forehand analysis on Jack Sock. Wait to you see his non-hitting arm, very interesting. When I am done with that video I will look through my Del Potro footage to see if I have any forehands with him with a more vertical stroke. John Frausto
Notice that his left (non-hitting arm) swings out in opposition to his racket arm until the ball is struck. As his shoulders spin, both arms are swinging extended. Any momentum from the wide swinging left arm can now be transferred through the chest to the hitting arm. His upper body becomes a balanced "ferris wheel" spinning on a spinal bearing while getting maximum usable rotation momentum.
It is just like he's hitting two balls. One directly forward and another 180 degrees backward (but not really) with the non racket arm.
Immediately on contact with the ball, the non racket arm stops rotation and the racket arm finishes swinging.
It appears to me that dropping the non-hitting arm has less to do with his height and more to do with hitting a flatter (straighter) ball than the likes of Federer and Nadal. Dropping that arm keeps the shoulders more level and body more upright (he's almost leaning forward) which decreases the upward swing angle which you observed here. Neither Roger nor Rafa lean into the ball like Delpo. Neither do they hit the ball as flat.
Juan's less-closed racket face during the loop serves the same purpose; it limits the stretch-shortening cycle (elastic energy) which would further accelerate the racket head in the upward/topspin direction. He makes full use of elastic energy in the forward, power direction, however. His swing appears designed to generate a laser-beam trajectory. I'm sure that's how Roger would describe it.
Rafa, of course, would be on the other end of the topspin spectrum with his closed face and buggy whip preference. Roger would be in the middle.
I often wonder how much of these details the players themselves are aware of; is it intentionally designed that way or did they just feel it out? In any case, I think their swing mechanics appear very well designed for their respective styles.
Nice observations. I enjoyed the presentation.
Wow, great information. My thought has always been that each player's stroke is unique. There are checkpoints (5 to be exact) but each player's strokes differ than someone elses. A Gulbis video is in the works - you want to talk about unique:) I do know that the pros do play a lot by feel. That's how I play. Thank you for your comment. I really appreciate the depth and insight in it! John Frausto
Nice analysis--thanks. Seems like he has a classic style. It looks more like Agassi, Sampras and even Laver and Ashe then it does Federer and Nadal.
David, I can see that. The fact that he uses a classic forehand grip (Eastern) may make it look more traditional. Thank you for your comment! John Frausto
you are correct.it's basically a Sampras version of forehand.the analysis was useless...
@@lszujo73 it's far from Sampras forehand, Sampras lead the forehand with the elbow
Which forehand backswing do you prefer for today's game Delpo's or Ferrer¿? And why
That is a great question. I don't prefer any certain backswing, I think you can accomplish the end goal with either. The key is movement to the ball and getting in position to make good contact. Thanks for your comment! JF
Dear Topspin Tennis. Have you ever thought, that left/inactive hand position is up to what shape hitting hand backswing loop is. Its just to balance backswing loop with free hand. Thatswhy "free hand" position is different when ladies are playing in WTA, coz their backswing loop is also, mostly very different compared to ATP ones.
Great point. Yes, the non hitting arm does depend a lot on the height of the take back of the loop. I also think the loop is determined by player preference, speed of the incoming ball (will be less on a faster incoming ball) and the height of the ball you are receiving. I don't understand your question about WTA players. Please clarify. Some outliers on the non hitting arm are Del Potro and Gulbis. Two non hitting arm positions that are completely different. Thank you for your comments. Your input gives me more ideas for future content. Thanks, JF
Are there any other tour players that use an eastern forehand grip? It seems like eastern is just a small variation from continental grip ?
Not many male players use an eastern grip. Richard Gasquet comes to mind, he is close to an an eastern grip. Thanks! JF
Federer , David Ferrer, Tsonga.
Jason, he uses a "Right in the Center Eastern"? Or a "Strong Eastern", more towards the sw?
JorgeAndresCoppian he uses a grip somewhat that of continental. He said it himself in a Facebook post.
In this video it looks like he is in an Eastern grip but JorgeAndresCoppian is not far off, Del Potro is between a continental and eastern forehand grip in the link he posted. JF
@@GeorgeHWBush-jt8yz do you have the link to the post? I would love to read the details
JorgeAndresCoppiano sorry I don’t, only saw it on a comment of a video about del po.
@@GeorgeHWBush-jt8yz thanks still! Be safe mate :)
question does he, drop the left arm just for the lower balls or all height?
He drops the non hitting arm on all of his forehands. It works for him. Thank you for your comment. Heigh may not be a factor, it may just be his technique that he has implemented since he was a junior. Thanks, John Frausto
Why do you think Del Potro does not get his strings facing straight down, as Fed often does? It's a bit closed, as you mentioned, but not straight down.
I believe it is due to two things: 1) His eastern forehand grip doesn't allow for a more closed racquet face and 2) His swing path is more level. Thank you for your comment! John Frausto
That makes sense. Mostly swing path though because Fed and Del Potro's grips are very similar.
I have the same Eastern grip as Del Potro. His contact point is way out in front -- ahead of his front foot. Is that a good checkpoint? I am not contacting that far out in front. Maybe even with the front toe.
Ravi San Jose, I would try adjusting your contact point. Get it further out in front and see how it feels. What works for him may not necessarily work for you.
Please, analyze forehand swing Mr. Fognini.
I did an analysis on Fognini, here it is: ruclips.net/video/xii3n0XjNIs/видео.html
For someone that wants to become pro in today's game is a god idea to copy Del potro' s forehand if you want to become pro knowing that is more old school backswing technique and not the modern atp forehand that the tip of the racket goes more to the outside and not to the back?¿
it's funny how the best three current forehand in the game (fed, rafa and delpo) all are hit with a straight arm and virtually every other pro hits with it bent
Tomas Del Campo, great point. It'll be interesting to see when the women will start adopting the straight arm forehand. Thanks for leaving your comment!
WoMEN?
The 🐐= NOVAK hits bent
I’m just sayin
@@emjay2045 his fh isn't neccesarily that powerful but peak djoker fh is insane cuz it just doesn't miss. his fh isn't why he's the goat tho
Roger said the other day that Delpo has an interesting forehand technique that young players maybe should look up to.
Tennis Fanatic, that is very interesting. I never heard that. From a simplistic approach, it doesn't get any simpler than Del Potro's forehand.
@@topspintennis Facts!
Great 💖 ❤ !! !video lesson !
Daniel Gomez, Thanks Daniel. I'm glad you enjoyed the video! John Frausto
my god. the biggest difference in his forehand swing is it compactness. he is not doing any snappy movements with his backswing. that’s why his non hitting arm is dropped because the arm doesn’t get involved until much later. as much as shoulders turned to 60 degrees into forward swing, if not more. that’s really late. hence really compact. one of the most, if not the most compact swing in the game. amazing thing about this is that del potro’s forehand swing is one of the most powerful while most compact. you gotta mention this if you call this an analysis.
tizmon thank you for your comment. I disagree with you on your reference to his stroke being compact. When I think of a stroke being compact, I think about the path that the racquet travels. Clearly in this video he has a substantial (the length the racquet travels) racquet path. I do agree with you that his stroke is not as "whippy" as others on the tour. I do appreciate your comment and I hope others can chime in on their thoughts. Thanks, John Frausto
Del Potro is simplistic. He used his advantage as taller than most other players-with arms longer and having the correct techniques in playing tennis.
ISAIAH JOHN, I agree. The less moving parts the better. Great comment!
Am i the only one who feels as though the non hitting arm gets in the way of seeing the ball,especially when they're fast?
Good question. I have never had issues with the non-hitting arm disrupting my view. Do you have a complete "unit turn" on your forehand? I would think if you get a complete turn the arm would not be in the way. Thanks, John
@@topspintennis not all the time, maybe that's where I go wrong.