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High elbow finish






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This footage is from the 2008 USPTA World Conference in La Quinta, California. Here Nick explains the importance of the "High Elbow" finish on the forehand and backhand groundstroke.

Nick Bollettieri (www.nickbollettieri.com) is one of the most influential people in the world of tennis and a legend who has transcended the sport. In 1978, he founded the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy (NBTA) in Florida. The NBTA was the first full-time tennis boarding school to combine intense training on the court with a custom-designed academic curriculum. What was once a program of primarily on-court training has evolved into a multi-faceted approach which includes blending the technical and strategic on-court training with specialized performance physical training and mental conditioning. The Bollettieri approach not only builds athletes on the court, but more importantly, prepares them for a successful life off the court as well.


At 77 years old, Nick is still going strong, rising at 4:20 am every morning to get to the gym by 5:00 am. He starts coaching at 5:30 am, stopping only for a quick lunch before finishing his last lesson at 7:00 p.m. Nick teaches private lessons, as well as oversees the progress of numerous professional players, the Elite Juniors, and the general Academy groups. He also travels around the country and internationally on an annual basis conducting clinics, making appearances, and giving motivation speeches for all audiences.

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