Totally agree -- and by doing so, you also lead the forehand with the elbow. The elbow drops forward, shoulders open up, racket drops back for that "wrist lag" that so many people want, and everything else flows nicely with more power spin and control. This is not "a method". this is the CORRECT way to hit a forehand because it precisely resembles a throwing motion. Just think about throwing a ball that fits in the hand with a sideways throw, or rock-skipping. I don't understand why a lot of women on the WTA don't do this with their forehand (example: Osaka)
The only time I do this is on my serve in ping pong. For tennis I feel keeping the elbow closer to my side gives me consistency. I would be afraid to try this as it might mess everything up.
I know who the #1 8yo in the country was when you made this video and he wasn’t at your academy. He was probably a USTA 9yo at the time but then again so most likely was the kid you’re talking about. He just won the Smrikva Bowl making him the #1 in the world and won the Little Mo a couple years running. I know you are big on hyperbole but stick with the facts. Obviously nobody knows how they will turn out in another 10 or 15 years but for now it is who it is.
