The Response of Robert Lansdorp to The Comments on His Article
Robert Lansdorp asked me to publish his response to the comments on his previous article “Famous Tennis Coach Robert Lansdorp about American Tennis”.
What the hell happened? I wrote a not in-depth article and have some guy,who does not believe in my criticizing, criticize me. Love it, just Love it.
I don’t mind being criticized at all, but at least when you criticize me, have a record that comes close to mine and not just teaching somebody with videos. Like I said in my follow up, I know there are good coaches in this country, otherwise we would have no half decent players coming up. I don’t know how many parents were responsible for these kids success. But there are may be a million “coaches ” in the USA and what percent of great coaches???
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 5 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!!
And Jennifer, with no last name!! I don’t know enough about tennis academies in Europe, and that’s why I said in the U.S. If Casals (Sanchez-Casal Tennis Academy) was doing such a great job in Spain, why did they come to Florida? Better money may be. I don’t know, why don’t you tell me Jennifer. Bollettieri’s is a great Academy for Pros to practice and some young ones came out of Nicks Academy. I am talking about 8, 9, and 10 year old. I know Anna Kournikova was there at a young age. She never won a pro tournament by the way. Andre Agassi got there at 15, may be 14. I don’t know how old Monica Seles was or Jim Courier. All I know is that all of them had somebody with them to manage what was going on, except Agassi; you can probably tell me Jennifer.
There are thousands of tennis academies in the U.S. and how many top 10 players have come out in the last 10 years? Of course some kids like it and they get better, by hitting hundreds of balls. You must also think that summer camps create world class players. Dream on. And last Jennifer. I never said that education was not important. Where do you come up with that. A lot of my players got great scholarships at USC, UCLA and Stanford. All I said that the combination is very difficult and that you have to make up your mind what you want to do. If in doubt, go for the EDUCATION. How can you misunderstand what I said.
And as for Mr. Wegner, all the things you mentioned I did in my life and career, and that is probably why I developed so many number 1s and top 10 and top 20 and 30 players in the world and that was without knowing you had videos out. And if you don’t like it Mr. Wegner go ahead and criticize, but tell me what players you personally developed from the age of 10 to number 1 in the world by being in the trenches with them. Not criticizing you, you understand, just making a point .
I thought Rick Macci was responsible with Richard in developing the Williams sister. But as you know by now I don’t know everything and I realize that. Again I developed most my champions from a very young age. Maria Sharapova came to me at barely 11 and lived in Los Angeles since 13 years old. Came back and forth to see me many times a year before 13. Pete Sampras 9, Lindsay Davenport 10, Tracy Austin 7, Teltscher 10, Po 10, Rehe 10, Myskina was already 17 and Teacher 16. One time in 2005 I think I had 19 students playing in the U.S. Open and most of them I started very young and had them for 8 to 9 years. In, I think 1986, I had 4 girls in the semifinals of the National 18. The finalists were only 14 years old and the doubles finals were my 4 kids!!! I worked with these kids for years and years, and made them mentally tough and gave them discipline and made them great people even if they never became tennis Champions.
How did I miss you Jennifer? What I did in that article was telling you was is wrong in MY eyes?Thanks and thanks Jennifer. At least, you made me get up and write a response, which I rarely do, as you well know by now. And criticizing me for having no solutions?
It is now about 5 years ago, when Patrick McEnroe became the boss, that I offered to run the Junior Development my way. I came out with a, I thought, great proposal and all he did was laugh at me, for what I wanted to get paid.
Hey John Austin, thanks man, for your nice words, and how are you? One of my greatest thrills was when John and his sister Tracy won the mixed at Wimbledon. Completely unexpected and just an unbelievable thrill for me John. Thanks again and you are a great guy. Love you man !! Robert Lansdorp.
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I have known Robert for 35 years as coach of mine and a coach for my kids…I am now a tennis Director and club owner in So Cal…bottom line is he got results ! whether it was with his bark or his mind he got it done ! It is not for the faint of heart but if you want your child to compete at any level Robert was and is the best in the business. My youngest now at the Univ of Missour on full scholy told me before I left when I dropped her off ! Make sure you let Robert know how much he has helped me the past years. My family including my dad and brothers owe a lot to Robert and I for one wouldn’t be the player or teaching pro I am today.
Hard to argue with facts! When I started reading the initial article, of course, the headline plainly states that this is an opinion. I read the article as such. Maybe, I am naive. I did not see it as a criticism, but only as Robert’s opinion of the state of coaching in the U.S.. I, as a coach, did not take offense. I guess because I don’t think the shoe fit. I see how Robert could believe what he sees in the coaching community as true and he certainly has the credentials to back it up. He mentioned some names and I think they might be offended by the context and maybe even the statements as a matter of fact. So, I guess in all fairness it was critical from that standpoint, or at least somewhat personal, although I hope not. There are a lot of coaches in the U.S., at various levels of expertise, who feel the same as Robert about a number of things he mentioned. I love the fact that he has the conviction to express his opinions about anything he feels is justified. However, I don’t understand why he is so upset that someone fires back. And I’m not so sure that having a grand slam champion(s) under your tutelage is the true measure of a good coach. I am more concerned about the personal development of the player and his goals. If the students goals are to be #1 in the world or #1 in a USTA 3.0 league and I can guide them to achieve their goal, I consider myself a successful coach. I tell all my players “I am not going to take any credit for your victories, but I am also not going to take responsibility for your losses!” I’m not the one who has to hit the ball they do. All the work, discipline, determination, and desire has to come from them…I’m just the guide. Being successful in life or in your profession does not mean you are good or for that matter great. That’s my opinion.
Robert will never train #1 USTA 3.0. You should demand more from your students that is required to be a world #1 or why waste time with them unless just for money?
“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”
― William Arthur Ward
Robert Lansdorp: I understand your concern. You have great accomplishments and developed some phenomenal players. You work has been very strong and produced great results. You say you don’t know about me. To introduce myself, I can tell you I come from a very different background. I played the tour in the 1960s for five years in 38 countries, but previously studied engineering. My family was a prominent family in Argentina, my ancestors, Frers Lynch, were founders of the city of Buenos Aires, high government officials, including one President, and I was very fortunate to have had a great youth and education and opportunity to practice a lot of sports, including soccer, rugby, swimming and ping-pong competition, volleyball, basketball, and racing yachts. I hate and oppose wars, and suffer for those that suffer from it. I believe you were affected by wars as a kid, which may have given you a harsher view of life, while mine is gentler. I also don’t specialize in one player and in the trenches, as you say, but love to help both coaches and players. The players I helped develop, like Guga Kuerten starting at 5 years old, were mostly with their primary coach, in this case Carlos Alves, until Guga was 14. I have helped Spain change their style of play as Jr. Davis Cup coach in 1973 and one of three National coaches. I implanted in the National Tennis School in Barcelona the system of open stance and heavy topspin, which you may or not agree with.
My forte is writing, communications, authoring and creating books and DVDs. I worked on TV first with the New Tennis Magazine Show from 1991 through 1995, and starting in 1994 with ESPN International for 6 years and then with Panamerican Sports Network in 2000. In essence, I want tennis and coaches to progress to where tennis will become easy to learn and the most popular individual sport in most countries, especially in the USA where there is a possibility of surpassing bowling, which is the number one USA individual sport with about 53 million participants. My publications have been distributed around the world and affected in various ways tennis coaching in many countries. The customers I have reached with my materials are well in excess of 30,000 between coaches and players.
I also believe in the spiritual side of Man and want to help make this a better world.
I could go on and on, but I just wanted to give you a brief idea of the thrust of my life to see if it is possible for you not to see me as a competitor but a well intended contributor to better this wonderful sport of tennis and someone to be respected, even if of a very different purpose, character and accomplishments.
With my best wishes, Oscar Wegner
Mr. Wegner I did not criticize what you do, when it comes to your work. I do have objections, when you feel that you can make people you don’t know at all more spiritual. I know a lot of “Spiritual” people, who should be in hell, even if I don’t believe in hell. So live your live as a great spiritual man, and don’t push your believes on to others. Most wars are started this way. Believe what you want to believe and become this great spiritual person and I wish you luck. Don’t worry about me. Thanks, Robert
Mr. Lansdorp, I don’t know where you get the idea of “a great spiritual man”. I love tennis and coaching. I too agree that nobody should push their beliefs on others and, as we see around the world, religions have started wars and are starting new wars. I don’t believe in hell either. People create their own hell. But I do believe that what people do in a lifetime comes back to hunt them in future ones. I am promoting simplicity, honesty, ethics in our profession, integrity, respect for others, and better tennis. The more people know about tennis, the better they can enjoy it. Some great players, like the ones you have produced, are ambassadors for their country and a great example for kids. I promote peace, not wars. Nothing wrong with that, right?
I wish you luck too and don’t worry about me either.
Thanks, Oscar
Robert. The truth hurts. I 100% agree with you. I’ve developed some players from a young age only to get cherry picked from academies and the USTA. As tough as that was its made me smarter and better as a coach. Every club and or facility in Vegas is so loosely able to start “academies”. I’ve gone against the grain and tried to do what I feel is right in honor of the game I love and have played and go private and small. Though I make good money some of these honchos in academies are making 3 times the amount of money. Quantity once again over quality. If you are ever in Vegas look me up for a comped lunch at my hotel and if you review my site you’ll see I’ve quoted you to back up what I’ve always believed in as a developmental coach. Miyagi dojo > Cobra Kai
Adrin, please consider the good of all. Coaches usually get higher remuneration because they do a good job. To call them “honchos” describes a narrow view and disrespect for a profession.