The Sampras Serve: Mystery of the High Elbow

Last month we posted over a hundred high speed videos of the serve of the great Pete Sampras—maybe the greatest serve of all time. (Click Here.) Over the years on Tennisplayer we’ve published more articles on his motion than any other stroke in tennis history, with the possible exception of Roger Federer’s forehand.

There was my initial 8 part series on Pete’s serve, beginning with our inaugural issue 13 years ago. (Click Here.) Then the 3 part series I did with Brian Gordon based on the only quantitative analysis ever of this incredible motion. (Click Here.)

There is also the groundbreaking article I did on the amazing combination of speed and spin in Pete’s serve, compared specifically to the speed/spin combinations of another great server, Greg Rusedski. Not to mention in the original Stroke Archive, a detailed portrait of over a hundred more stroke files. (Click Here.)

But one thing I never addressed—ducked actually—was one of the most distinctive characteristics. His high elbow bend so soon after contact. Higher and sooner than any other player we have ever filmed.

To me it was a puzzle. Other analysts claimed it was a key—or even the key to his motion. But since…