Crushing Forehands at 69 Years Old (Del Potro Style)

Get the Intuitive Tennis iPhone/iPad App 👉 apple.co/3c5IyJp
In today's tennis lesson, I work on my 69 year old student Robert (Del Potro style) forehand and introduce some modern elements to his swing.
This video is not sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something, I’ll receive a small commission.
🎾 Get 10% OFF on Kirschbaum Strings & Grips (ENTER CODE INTUITIVETENNIS AT CHECKOUT)
kirschbaumusa.com/INTUITIVETE...
My Gear:
Racquet: amzn.to/3NbuMl6
Balls: amzn.to/3NiDezc
Overgrip: amzn.to/39TYbTb
Shoes: amzn.to/3NfFQNZ
Microphone: amzn.to/3QLJwKA
Camera: amzn.to/3NfALpa
Tripod: amzn.to/3QLZZhC
Drone: amzn.to/3nal2gn
🖱 SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE VIDEOS LIKE THIS
👉🏻 kzbin.info...
🤜🤛 Share this video
👉 • Crushing Forehands at ...
🎾 Second KZbin Channel 👉 / intuitivetennis247
🎾 Premium Content 👉 www.intuitivetennis.com
🎾 Video Analysis 👉 bit.ly/2Kz8AEK
🎾 Instagram 👉 / intuitivetennis
🎾 TikTok 👉 / intuitivetennis
🎾 Twitter 👉 / intuitivetennis
🎾 Facebook 👉 / intuitivetennis
#intuitivetennis #tennislesson

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Be careful with racquet customization 🙏 kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIi0dmmhrcaFZqs

[@sergioalonso3118]

In addition to Robert's incredibly good fitness, I think it is even more remarkable how easily he made technical corrections on the spot, almost immediately! That shows how aware he is of his own moves. That is not a very common trait in adults, and the older we are the harder is to correct glitches in our technique. Bravo!

[@rsmith02]

This student is an inspiration- not only for his skill at 69 but for his shape and his willingness to change. I'm also impressed with how quick a learner he is, incorporating tips about his left hand and stance after just a few strokes. It takes me much longer than that to get used to something new.

[@Apstenusrazbega]

Robert physical condition is very inspiring. So good to see people who care and work on their health. Forehand is marvelous.

[@keylargo5157]

MORE OLD FILM of YOU playing !!! Loved it!

[@randymarcum6097]

I liked how you introduced a new concept then added the next one that would build on the previous one. I am sure you saw all three areas that needed improving at the start of the lesson, but never mentioned the other two until he was ready for each one.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Exactly

[@stephanesurprenant60]

There's a few people I play that are older. One of my good friend turns 73 this month and we've been playing together for a decade now. It's great to see how people can play that game well into their retirement and enjoy it. They kept themselves in great shape and have so far avoided injuries and illness. We're all cossing our fingers we play like your client here at the same age.

[@jaquevius]

Nic, I Love seeing older player training. 54 just getting back into tennis and I found this very helpful so thanks 🙏

[@IntuitiveTennis]

🙌🙌

[@thomasmedeiros5722]

As a 74 year old player and coach I really appreciate this video. First the fact that he is constantly working on improving his game at 69:years old tells me he is a true player not just someone who plays tennis. Second if you’re serious about improving your skills you really benefit from working on court with a skilled teacher like Nick. You need that immediate and personal feed back and recommendations to make proper adjustments. I was impressed by how quickly he made the adjustments that Nick recommend. As a coach it’s really fun when you get to work with talented players. I would suggest that he probably a very skilled volleyball player. Athletic skills really crossover.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Beach volleyball is great for tennis fitness

[@hayesmaker64]

Just joined my local tennis league and enjoying tennis again at 43. This is quickly becoming my favourite tennis youtube channel!

[@IntuitiveTennis]

🙏🙏

[@georgetheyokel]

Nick has emphasized many times and I got the message: be very careful when copying a professional player's special movement! Especially an particular position locked in a fancy image. We may simply not athletic enough to copy it. Or that special position may be a thousandth second thing one simply could not "feel and control it". We could easily open a Pandora's Box of bad habits while trying to force ourself into that particular position.

[@grantdelmege2724]

His forehand technique is impressive, very clean and simple. He looks like a good player with good skills👍

[@BrazosSteve]

Thanks Nick for bringing in a senior for some coaching. I am also in my 60s and watch your videos regularly for instruction. You have helped me improve thru watching. Keep them coming!

[@robinperkins7695]

Love the consistency of your messaging across all levels, keeping the fundamentals as the basis at all times. Fantastic 👊

[@brasileirosim5961]

At the end the guy was making again the old take back, going first down. It needs time to change those things. Great video, and a big motivation for us all!

[@K4R3N]

Dude looks like he's in his 40s. Great job, inspirational

[@adeljoseph7237]

Keep going man, you are amazing.

[@ripleypipe]

Being 69 too I can totally relate to this impressive student Nick. If we have the desire, we can learn more at any age. Thank you, Gordon.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Keep going Gordon 🙌🙌

[@brasileirosim5961]

The first time I heard about this takeback was when I took a lesson with a very talented swiss player, Emmanuel Marmillod. People believed he could be a decent pro, as he was a strong junior, but he didn’t like to practice that much and had a career high of 755. I had a single lesson with him in the early 2000s. This player was a lefty, playing the forehand with something like a continental grip, and I stopped making lessons with him because he tried to change my forehand grip! Anyway, this guy had an unbelievable stroke, crushing the balls effortlessly with his forehand, playing clean and flat balls. He told me to make the takeback by separating the hands immediately at breast high. He told me that this is the way pros are now playing the forehand. I took over this movement and improved my forehand.

[@marcosmisiecmassena7626]

Also forgot to mention that the instructor is very good!

[@OscarEggen]

Hey Nick, in this lesson you are much, much more relaxed in your instruction to Robert. Keep up the good work man!

[@IntuitiveTennis]

It’s the same lesson 😂

[@tomsd8656]

At 58, I found that the first few games, I can keep up with the young guys. But after having to move laterally and chase drop shots, moving backward to hit overhead, the legs started to feel it, and then I made more errors or just had to give up chasing balls I was able to get to at the beginning of the set.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

You do what you can. Keep going 🙌🙌

[@farid1406]

LOVE his forehand. He would be screaming it if he had a 40 year old's speed. Your instruction is so spot on too, I get too coiled on the forehand. Gonna try this out.

[@1114gabby]

Great teaching Nick.

[@gomriria2197]

Excellent video as usual

[@hansolsson3409]

Nice video Nick, i like it!

[@theertheshtkjain]

Amazing! I hope can pick a tennis ball at that age.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Never too late to start

[@konstantinbelinsky7829]

entertaining and useful video! Both teacher and student are cool!!! 69 yo !? Bravo👋👋👋

[@jesdiet]

3 more things to try next time I play. Great advice! Thanks 🙂

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Do it Jes

[@amitrajit8057]

Hi Nick, can you upload a video with conditioning/mobility exercises for seniors?

[@marcosmisiecmassena7626]

Man this guy is so talented that imagine if had started at an early age!!

[@svenfokkema3440]

Another great video and amazing 'pupil'. My coach is very adamant about moving my feet only when setting up / loading, but never when onloading / hitting. I noticed that Robert is frequently moving his feet (both in the open and closed position) when unloading and actually wonder what your view is.

[@affluencethirdy4894]

the hybrid footwork is the best laugh i had overall watchin this video. 😂😂😂

[@skalenskij]

Thank you very much

[@ericfreeman5795]

Excellent video, Nico. Incredible that I hadn't seen it before. This guys technique and physical fitness is awesome, although after a rally, where he's bent over, trying to recover, I can totally identify with that. The great part, and may I suggest this as an idea for future senior videos, is what old school techniques are easy tu update to a more modern style, and which shouldn't be tinkered with. That would be interesting. Also, this guy has tremendous fitness for his age. What to do for beginners and intermediates that are not quite as fit, but want to play better tennis. Congrats, again a great video, Nico. Just one question. What's the matter with the 90s backswing? It worked for Lendl, Wilander, Becker, Agassi, and Samprass. Even David Ferrer had kind of a hint of that backswing. It's not weirder than a next Gen forehand, with their racquet pointing forewards on the backswing. 😂😂😂

[@IntuitiveTennis]

I’ll cover it

[@beaglesrfun5896]

The student is a sponge! Great job, coach and student.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

🙏🙏

[@alisonjames865]

How did he make the technical changes so fast on his forehand, that is truly amazing

[@IntuitiveTennis]

🥶

[@GinooH7]

i would love to see your videos playing as a junior!!

[@IntuitiveTennis]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4qcZoOkoZl7sJo

[@rds4629]

nice video and that's a sweet looking efficient FH; I don't suppose you have Robert's earlier videos where he added the loop and fixed his follow through?

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Unfortunately no

[@madamadajoe8244]

What a champ! rockin a forehand like that at 69

[@andresf1984]

I wish I could play like that at 69 - kudos to him

[@scheim1961]

I am only slightly younger than Robert and found this very helpful, particularly the insights regarding open and closed stances. I noticed that, like me, Robert really doesn't use a split step. I have tried many times to incorporate one into my game but I have not (yet?) been successful because I find it distracting and uncomfortable (mostly distracting) when I try. In your experience, is this common with older players? Perhaps we have a load of muscle memory in that regard that we need to find a way to get rid of?

[@randymarcum6097]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/in-ykJWHd62pZpY This video by Nick on the split step was very helpful to me.

[@PrecisionPointTennis]

Cool! 😎

[@julienriegel8246]

Robert is a good player

[@hehehehehahahaha2025]

Was interesting seeing footage from your younger days, Nick. Was there any specific logic behind why players used to have that Lendl/Sampras style takeback from low to high? Did it give more power but at the cost of timing problems? Someone like Sampras was able to really hammer those forehands.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Sampras different than Lendl tho

[@davidbugge2020]

@@IntuitiveTennis what were the key differences between Lendl and Sampras forehand. On low balls for sure they looked similar, but I have seen Sampras start his take back higher too. Curious to see how you would consider his forehand In transition to more modern technique?

[@kostiantynpliusnin7104]

his man is a monster!

[@IntuitiveTennis]

🙌🙌

[@kevanashy]

Oldies rule! 👍

[@johnddwyer]

He looks great and he is an inspiration for sure. 69 and he looks like that? Amazing. His forehand looks good and he fixed the take back right away with your instruction.

[@jerrychen2302]

do u think u gotta be tall like 6+ feet in order to hit this? i think it would be difficult to be super effective with it if ur like 5 feet or something

[@michaela.5363]

Which grip is this guy using? Eastern?

[@historian111z]

This guy can beat me in tennis

[@TimTheMusicMan]

Nick is a great teacher, his forehand looks great, given this is a forehand video, I did notice one of his backhands is not so strong, the setup and follow through need some work. He also got winded after several strokes, he needs to increase his lung capacity, there are many things he can try but he may want to try to increase his nitric oxide intake and amino acids as well.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

I’m not a doctor and can’t talk lung capacity, but I can tell you that my 18 year old high level juniors get out of breath after a few strokes as well. 100% humidity and 95 degrees are tough conditions to play in.

[@TimTheMusicMan]

@@IntuitiveTennis umm, I didn't realize that, interesting.

[@peterochester2320]

@@IntuitiveTennis I also play in FL and, at 68, just can't play above 90 degrees, especially on sunny days. Still hit or play 4+ times a week but now have to take more breaks. Be thankful for what you can do!

[@jeffvadar6335]

Looks good, also worth NOT dropping the left hand after releasing the throat of the racquet

[@rctayas]

Less recoil…wow ,great tip for me at 58👍🏼

[@TennisTrollChannel]

9:50 is important.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

🦶

[@devonr7497]

Is he playing with the RF97 at 69 years old?? If so jesus, that is a nightmare waiting to happen.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

He plays with pro staff but he is used to it No issues

[@ReidVV]

Great advice in this lesson, again. Here is an interesting video about how humans learn and improve skills to expert level: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5a6Z3iXnNdsjqM

[@reuelray]

Since you are my elder (I am 68 😁) I will respectfully address my elder statesman and say your forehand is great as it is. I don't think the adjustments were needed but when you tried to execute them the forehand wasn't as good. Your youngish middle age instructor is definitely going to be pissed😡 so you better read this before he delete and drop me. 😂 My child grandchildren nieces and nephews are always ticked at ole uncle dad paw, so what the heck. I am doing what older retired retreads do. Talk mess and forget the rest. 😆

[@junkmail75034]

Man no way this guy is 69 😅

[@proshepherd]

I'm sorry but I disagree completely. The dude had a great rotation and was comfortable with that rotation. You stopped him from doing a correct rotation and instead asked him to bring the racket back with his arm which creates backward momentum. It's just not good. There was no reason to make that change.

[@drbonesshow1]

Crushing? More like smooshing ripe bananas.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

You ever have anything nice to say?

[@drbonesshow1]

@@IntuitiveTennis When people like you open your minds to something better - then yes. That would be refreshing. But "you" as in the world of tennis instructors - never do and probably never will.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

@@drbonesshow1 I get where you are coming from. You have a differing opinion. No problem. Instead of insulting me saying on numerous occasions that I’m an idiot and don’t know anything, just give your professional opinion on the subject. This could open up a discussion in the comment section and bring more value to everyone. Insulting my student Robert with smushed banana thing is not nice. He crushes that forehand pretty good for 69. If I can do that when I’m his age I’ll be happy.

[@drbonesshow1]

@@IntuitiveTennis I did not personally address you as an idiot. I'm simply saying that my work in the physics of sports (including that of tennis - NY Times 2018 for example) is based on fact not opinion. This unlike the world of tennis instruction, which is largely constructed of knowledge (much of it in error - when examined carefully) passed down from one generation of instructors to the next - never questioning what they do. It was Einstein who said of his field (i.e., physics) to never stop questioning. Interestingly, I designed a racket handle for Del Potro and his wrist problems called the Rocket Racket (also featured in the NY Times article of 2018) that replaces the "idiotic" cylindrical handle of modern rackets with an elliptical handle. Yes, modern rackets have not changed much in handle design from those of ages ago. The handle is far more important than tennis people realize, but then again - they never question what they do. I do. That is the bottom-line - not necessarily an indictment on any one player - including yourself. BTW: Del Potro's doctor (yes, I spoke with him) who operated on his wrist said: "Professor, I understand that your handle could help Juan, but I can't tell him what to do."

[@IntuitiveTennis]

@@drbonesshow1 congrats on your work with delpotro

[@tennisace40]

Sorry but he is not crushing it.Im sure youll get him there but for now he’s not.Of course his rating will tell us more.Good video though.