Robert Lansdorp
From Another Storyteller

Almost everyone who spent time around Robert Lansdorp has a story, usually more than one.

I am a member of the "Lansdorp Storytellers" having watched him give lessons, talked with him about his teaching philosophy and the meaning of the game. Did it for decades. And came away with an appreciation for who he was.

My understanding was made more complete thanks to time spent discussing life--his, along with the way other people went about leading theirs.

Lansdorp had the gravely "Don't mess with me" voice of a nightclub bouncer. On court, he regularly had the same demeanor. A big man, with monstrous hands, he had a thick shock of dark hair that gradually turned gray... which added to his aura. His teaching style left no room for slackers.

He scolded, threatened and cajoled . He made juniors cry, throw up and sometimes both. Yet they kept coming back for lessons.

After the first performance I watched, I told him his abusive, sinister behavior was appalling. He gave me his standard Lansdorp "Who the hell are you..." look before getting in my face. Then for some reason, (and I have no idea why), he began to talk about what he was doing. It was the beginning of a relationship that lasted for decades.

It is important to note, I didn't regularly attend lessons; often there were lengthy gaps between our exchanges but when I needed insight for a story I was developing, he would always respond.

20 At The Baseline

Mentioning his mantra still makes many of those who haven't been on the court in years uneasy. 20 balls over the net and in at maximum force. Miss one and the 20 count started over.

The drill, designed to maximize a player's effort and shot-making focus, was an ordeal that became more difficult as the 20-shot success goal neared. Lansdorp added to the angst by feeding balls faster and wider while goading the youngster to see if he/she could be distracted into making an error.

As he explained during our first encounter, if a player could survive the drill and not lose emotional control or get distracted, a match would be a walk in the park.

The Best

Tracy Austin has said, "He's the best coach to teach ground strokes in the history of the game."

She along with a vaunted collection of players including Pete Sampras, Lindsay Davenport and Stephanie Rehe developed what has been anointed- The "Lansdorp Forehand" ... featuring a relaxed flowing backswing and a long follow through.

To fully appreciate his influence look at the encyclopedia of players he taught: Eric Amend, John Austin, Julia Boserup, Michael Joyce, Kimberly Po, Derrick Rostagno, Alexandra Stevenson, Jeff Tarango, Brian Teacher, Eliot Teltscher and Robert Van't Hof.

This was on top of Tracy, Pete, and Lindsay Davenport. Not to mention Elliot Teltscher and Brian Teacher.

And the list goes on: two sets of Fernandez twins, Anna Marie and Anna Lucia, along with Cecilia and Elisa, as well as sisters, Lucinda and Melissa Gurney. Justin Gimelstob came from New Jersey and lived in Lansdorp's basement when he was almost 16.

While these names are applause worthy, his reputation increased exponentially when he began guiding Maria Sharapova, Anastasia Myskina and Anna Chakvetadze (which led him to say, "I'm better known in Moscow than I am in Palos Verdes.") Eugenie Bouchard was another member of the international cast of players who sought his direction.

Lansdorp skillfully surrounded his larger-than-life presence and accompanying gruffness with superb self-deprecation and bolstered it with a wicked sense of humor. This was apparent when asked about his playing ability. After initially responding, with a flurry of bleeped words, he said, "I wasn't any good."

Truth be known, he was a member of the Holland Davis Cup team in the late 1950's, and was an All-American at Pepperdine University, leading the team to two West Coast Conference championships.

Here is an abbreviated look at his career.

He played for Pepperdine University until 1964. Three years later, he began teaching at Morley Field in Balboa Park, San Diego. In 1970, he moved to the Jack Kramer Tennis Club, where Vic Braden had built the foundation. Lansdorp became the cornerstone of the club becoming the Gold Standard for junior player development.

In 1978, he started The West End Tennis & Racquet Club (Where I first watched him teach.) ... the location where he spent time with Sampras, Davenport, and Rehe, along with Joyce, Tarango, as well as Nicole Hummel and Melissa Guerney. The Basicas-Eric, Amber and Amanda-were also among those who received his direction as did his daughter Stephanie, who became an All-American at Arizonia State University.

He moved to the Riviera Country Club in 1996 and his world dramatically changed. Yuri Sharapov had seen Davenport win the US Open and wanted his daughter Maria to hit the ball like Lindsay. Sharapov told IMG, where she was training in Florida, to make contact.

Lansdorp remembered the call, just after she turned 11, being asked to take a look and thinking "Why not?"

He continued his recollection saying, "She was a little, skinny girl, real quick. I remember she hit the ball really well, but every forehand went down the line. She couldn't hit crosscourt. Her timing was a little bit off; she hit the ball a little late."

He added, "After she finished the lesson Yuri asked me, ‘What do you think about my daughter?' and instead of saying, ‘Your daughter is unbelievable', I said ‘She's really good but her forehand sucks'."

Rereading the comments, as I prepared this story, brought back the memory of sitting behind Yuri and Robert, in the metal bleachers of an outside court at the National Tennis Center and watching Sharapova play a US Open Junior Girls Singles match.

In 2002, she was a 6-0, 7-5 Australian Girls' Singles finalist to Barbora Strýcová of the Czech Republic and a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 Wimbledon Girls' Singles finalist to countrywoman Vera Dushevina.

In New York, Yuri attempted to restrain his animation and limit his comments and queries about what was taking place. Robert was stoic, occasionally offering an observation. He only became expressive when a "Good shot." was hit.

Sharapova won the match but lost her second-round encounter. Then, as most remember, she became the Ladies Singles champion at Wimbledon in 2004.

Grips

As grips became more extreme in the 1970s topspin was "In." Instructors across the board were teaching the technique. Lansdorp wasn't.

In those days, the creed was "Clear the net by more than foot." Lansdorp followed a different religion one that stressed "Hitting the ball hard and close to the net" and using a bit of topspin. His sermon was uncomplicated- "Harder is better."

He appreciated consistency but disciplined stroke production was the key to success and playing points against his students became the backbone of the development process. His best point playing musing concerned Michael Joyce.

Joyce was a 6-4, 6-3, Wimbledon Junior Boys' finalist to Thomas Enqvist of Sweden in 1991. His 12-year pro career was maimed by injuries which forced him to retire and he begin coaching. He became a Lansdorp disciple. In time, he worked with Sharapova, then Jessica Pegula, Victoria Azarenka, Johanna Konta and Eugenie Bouchard. Currently, he is guiding Ashlyn Krueger.

Lansdorp, with a gleam of devilment in his eye, remembered, "I played points and I cheated to see if a junior would fall apart. I cheated Michael. He was 12 and very competitive. He got so angry. He cheated me on the next point. I told him there was no way that was out, and he yelled at me. His father was watching so I asked him if I could spank Michael and he said ‘Sure'. I went over, wacked him on the butt and told him to leave. He did and was crying. It wasn't mean.There was a point. A couple of days later, he came back after apologizing for yelling at me."

Lansdorp drew his own lines in the sand and regularly obliterated them. His behavior with Joyce was just an example of who he was and how he taught. Given the way society is, it would be interesting to see the reaction if what he did took place today.

Following his tenure at Riviera, Lansdorp turned the South Bay Tennis Club into a lesson haven, refining the talent of both Sharapova and Myskina, the 2004 Roland Garros winner, as well as a host of up-and-coming juniors.

When their WTA schedules allowed, they took lessons back-to-back. If Sharapova was first, Myskina would follow. At the next session, the order was reversed. He designed the format to provide the optimum competitive experience.

Lansdorp would give me a heads up when the Russians were going to perform and the outing always proved to be revealing and entertaining. If Sharapova was first Myskina would appear shortly after the lesson began. She would "pseudo" stretch alongside the court while watching. The next Saturday, Myskina would be first and Sharapova would follow the "show up early" routine.

Lansdorp was in control. He directed each episode. He had an objective he wanted each player to achieve. He succeeded by chiding, insulting and pushing, regularly adding to the tension by talking to whomever was waiting outside the court. Lessons became clashes neither Sharapova nor Myskina wanted to lose face.

The Conference

"A Discussion Of Coaching And Teaching Issues" took place at the Roger Smith Hotel prior to the 2001 US Open. Gene Scott, owner and publisher of Tennis Week, organized the panel discussion to provide "An opportunity to toss around ideas and talk about the most pressing coaching and teaching issues."

Scott added, "This is the first of what I hope will become an annual no frills gathering, not sponsored by anybody." It was the first and last.

Participants included Nick Bollettieri, Vic Braden, Rodney Harmon, Robert Lansdorp, Rick Macci, Dennis Van der Meer, Lynne Rolley and Nick Saviano.

Bollettieri, Braden, Lansdorp, Macci and Van der Meer were lauded instructors. Harmon, Rolley and Saviano were in the forefront of the USTA's Player Development effort.

As one would expect with such a distinguished group, opinions varied. "The one thing they agreed on is that young tennis players should be identified earlier," Scott said.

Looking back, the fact that Lansdorp and Macci were involved became even more meaningful because the annual Tennis Week party, held during the first week of the US Open, was a harbor cruise around the Statue of Liberty and I had the opportunity to listen to Lansdorp and Macci continue their Roger Smith Hotel dialog. Scott was the MC.

Macci believed that identifying young athletes was making progress but was more concerned about "Who is identifying these individuals".

The private sector's role supporting player development was growing and Macci observed, "It's a team effort. You can't leave these people out if you want to have a successful program."

He praised Lansdorp, saying, "I'm not going to act as Robert Lansdorp's agent, but no one has done more to sew together groundstrokes. His track record is incredible, and he is never recognized. When we look at developing players, we should put our money on people who have been there and done it."

Lansdorp was adamant about introducing youngsters to solid fundamentals. He had little regard for academies and emphasized the importance of repetition. He lamented that there was no standard for teaching tennis, saying, "I'm a USPTA Master pro. Some of the guys who are in this group should be sued for malpractice. They just don't know how to teach the game."

Macci pointed out, "If something (a stroke) is broken at 15, you can't fix it" then added, "If you don't have the horse, it will not win the Derby."

In another interview, after bringing out that he didn't know everything, Lansdorp gave Macci props for having developed Venus and Serena Williams, (along with their father, Richard), and not receiving due credit.

Being true to who he was, he once explained, "There were a couple of good Edsels driving around, but the car is known as the worst car ever made. I was in San Diego when the USPTA was going to start up. I was one of about five guys, most of them dead now. Anyway, I voted for Quality and was outvoted for Quantity. So, you honestly want to argue with me about the USPTA or PTR. Again, there are some good coaches in both organizations, but not enough."

Though he taught selectively on a private court in Rolling Hills, after leaving the South Bay Tennis Club, Lansdorp remained steadfast declaring, "It isn't important who I have developed. I take credit for the system.The game isn't that difficult. You don't have to be a brain surgeon to get a player ready for a match. It is knowing how to take someone from the age 7 to 17 to the top..."

Over the years he brought up first working with Tracy Austin at 7, Pete Sampras at 9; John Austin, Lindsay Davenport, Kimberly Po, Stephanie Rehe and Eliot Teltscher all at 10, Brian Teacher at 16, and Anastasia Myskina at 17. Eugenie Bouchard was older when she came under his influence and so was Anna Chakvetadze.

He was an enigma. Often indifferent to, then craving recognition. This was the case with the Pepperdine University Athletes Hall of Fame. He expressed interest in being inducted but was always too busy to complete the necessary paperwork.

In 2005, he was finally honored, receiving the USTA Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Services To The Game Award.

Lansdorp was a member of the 2009 Southern California Tennis Hall of Fame induction class that included Bob Falkenburg, Bob Lutz, Peggy Michel, Stan Smith and Pat Yeomans. Along with Nick Bollettieri, Jerry Baskin, and Jack Sharpe, he was feted at the 2013 Team USA Coaching Legend Inaugural Reception in Indian Wells, California.

Damage

Robert was complex. It was speculated that he had been "damaged" by WWII experiences in Indonesia, where he was born, lived under Japanese occupation then the post-war effort by Indonesia to eliminate its colonial past by ridding the country of the Dutch. His parents were Dutch. His father worked for Goodyear and spent time in a Japanese prisoner of war camp while his mother, even though she had Danish documentation, was tortured.

Thanks to the Red Cross the family eventually returned to Holland. When hostilities seemed to quell, they decided to move back to Jakarta where his father attempted to save his company. It proved futile.

Danger grew. Former landowners were being kidnapped; some were ransomed or simply killed which resulted in Lansdorp, his mother, sister and a newly arrived brother making the trip back to Holland. Shortly thereafter, when he was 13, a friend introduced him to tennis.In 1960, the Lansdorp family immigrated to the US and San Diego became their new home.

Over the years, he explained how difficult it was growing up in these circumstances and how he had been shaped by them. There has been supposition that the experiences were at the root of his caustic approach to teaching . Speculation is what it is. And only a mental health expert could make a valid assessment if they did and to what extent.

Regardless, when given a forum, Lansdorp freely expressed opinions that were direct, passionate, insightful and sprinkled with subtlety.

He spoke more about some of the players he coached.

"Walter Redondo was the most talented boy that I ever worked with," he said, during his SCTA Hall of Fame induction (which Redondo attended). "I started coaching Walter at Morley Field at Balboa Park. I give Walter the credit for starting my career in coaching. I didn't really know what I was doing but with Walter, whatever you told him to do he would do it, because he was so talented."

"Trey Lewis was a great talent with a great one-handed backhand."

"Maria was always a happy girl. She was very coachable. I never had any problems with her. A hard worker and very competitive.

"I saw a girl that had no fear. She would just bang that ball. She would not choke. She didn't know what choking was." he said of Sharapova.

On March 2, 2009, Collette Lewis wrote an article about coaching called "Talking with Robert Lansdorp." Here is a story synopsis.

"Get the best athlete." Lansdorp feels that eye-foot coordination is much more important than hand-eye and suggested it may account for the European domination of the game now.

Other qualities he looks for in assessing a prospect (and although he will go as young as four, he seems to prefer the 8 to 10 age group).

"Independent thinking." If a player can't offer his own feedback on the reasons for his errors or his winners, Lansdorp questions whether he can process information appropriately for high-level tennis. Mumbling ‘I don't know' when asked why you hit a drop shot will get you thrown off the court.

"Love of the game."Although Lansdorp scoffed at this when I phrased it that way, he did say later that a player really needs to enjoy just hitting the ball, wants to hit the ball again and again.

"Competitiveness."- Wanting to play matches and caring about winning them. He went on to deride the USTA's decision some years ago, since abandoned, to shield 12 & Unders from the pressure of competing."

Decline

As his health declined, brought about by a variety of surgeries, (including two hip replacements), and the consequences of the resulting pain made worse by his relentless teaching schedule, Lansdorp's time on court diminished.

When he passed away at the age of 85 on September 16th, the tributes had the long Lansdorp follow through.

Tracy Austin told atp.com, "It didn't matter whether he was coaching a No. 1 in the world or someone that was hoping to make the high school team, he gave 100%. He loved the challenge of trying to make that person on the other side of the court the best tennis player that they could be." He actually enjoyed that challenge.

"His DNA was to push you, but he also pushed himself. And I think when we realized that, then you were on board,that we were on this journey together. He asked for perfection, but you were more than willing to try to get there."

Lindsay Davenport offered, "Robert was so unique. He was a personality like no one I've ever met or been around, and I was really fortunate to have him come into my life when I was around nine years old.

"He changed my life in terms of, I would never have gone down the path or achieved anything I was able to achieve without having him in my life. It's hard to put in words, because all of us that worked with him, I've talked to so many people, and we have this bond even though we don't necessarily speak all the time, just because of our history with Robert. He was so important to so many people over such a long period of time."

Eliot Teltscher, who Lansdorp said had a one-of-a-kind backhand, told atp.com, "I stopped playing tennis almost 40 years ago, but I stayed friends with Robert until the very end. His impact for me didn't end when I stopped playing tennis. His impact was, for me, for my life. The best way I could put it is he never stopped coaching me.

"We would talk and discuss things and talk about things when I wasn't playing tennis, when I was in my 40s and 50s and 60s. It never ended. He was, I think for me, a little more of a mentor than a coach.

"It didn't stop when tennis stopped, it continued. A lot of times, you teach somebody when they're done playing, that's it, that's the end of it. I'm going to speak for myself and not for others, but I think a lot feel the same way. My relationship with Robert never ended. It went on forever. I called him up every few months to just say, ‘Hey, what's going on? What's this? What's that?' It never, never stopped.... I'll miss that."

Having made his last public appearance wearing a T-shirt with "Play Without Fear" on the front, it was ironic that his life came to an end because his heart failed.

Learning what had happened brought to mind a Sharapova story he told.

It was the holiday season, and she was living alone in an apartment. So Lansdorp and his wife bought a Christmas tree, decorations and presents and took them to the 14-year-old.

He admitted, "I had a closer relationship with her than I've had with any other player."

His heart brought his life to an end, yet it was part of his character for so long.

Poetry

When South Korean author Han Kang won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature she was honored "for her intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life".

Anders Olsson, Chairman of the Academy's Nobel Committee added, "She has a unique awareness of the connections between body and soul, the living and the dead, and in her poetic and experimental style has become an innovator in contemporary prose."

In many ways this describes Robert Lansdorp. As did the statement he made at the 2005 US Open, "Everyone knows what I can do, don't you think? But I'll tell you this: There'll never be anyone who can do it like me. Never."

This may be part of the reason why quiet discussion is already taking place about nominating Robert Lansdorp for International Tennis Hall of Fame induction.

Concluding my storytelling I must offer I knew Robert Lansdorp better than many but not as well as he knew himself, which was something, even at 85, he was still attempting to discover.

Robert, RIP.