Recreational players have long been obsessed with topspin. In the February 2001 issue, legendary coach Robert Lansdorp reminded readers that “too much of anything is a bad thing.” Lansdorp’s teachings on technique have worked for generations. He was instrumental in the success of Tracy Austin and Lindsay Davenport, both former No. 1 players.
Maria Sharapova, another one of his students, still has one of the most feared forehands in tennis. For Lansdorp, a great forehand is about a combination of pace and spin. He calls it the topspin drive. “It travels faster, and is more aggressive and penetrating than a looping topspin shot,” he writes. “It’s also much less stressful on the body.” Lansdorp isn’t absolute about grips, but says a good one is “near a semi-Western.” He does emphasize full extension on the follow through.
