ATP Halle: Tommy Haas - "I've experienced a lot of good things on this center court"
Ten years after his final victory against Roger Federer at the ATP Tour 500 tournament in Halle, Westphalia, Tommy Haas still has fond memories of Germany's biggest lawn classic.
by p.m
last edit: Jun 13, 2022, 03:17 pm
Tommy Haas (44) has had an amazing experience in recent years: "I always thought that I would remember exactly everything that happened in my career," says Haas. “But lately, a lot has faded from memory. You just get older.” However, that doesn't apply in the slightest to a moment that's burned into his head. Strictly speaking, not just a moment, but a whole tournament - the ATP Tour 500 tournament in HalleWestfalen in 2012. Because ten years ago he was suddenly the indestructible comeback artist who couldn't be beaten by all sorts of injuries the sensational title hero, the unbelievable triumphator. "I was standing next to Roger Federer in the picture of the finalists - and I had the trophy," says Haas. "That was something very special, an emotional highlight."
Especially since he had competed in Challenger tournaments a few weeks before this great coup and had to qualify at the French Open. "It was a victory for eternity, really. One of those moments that you absolutely will not forget,” says Haas, as he sits in the restaurant of the COURT HOTEL on the first weekend of the 29th TERRA WORTMANN OPEN and lets his thoughts wander about his career, his guest performances in HalleWestfalen and the present. "I'm completely fine with my tennis time, with my career," says Haas. “Of course I would have liked to win more, maybe a Grand Slam as well. But I have achieved more than I ever dared to dream.”
Haas on Sunday in action
Haas was once again happy to accept the invitation from tournament director Ralf Weber to go to work carefree at the "Champions Trophy" in the OWL ARENA. Together with Younes El Aynaoui, Haas played against Andrei Medvedev and Mansour Bahrami in the entertaining show match on Sunday. “The development of the tournament is simply fantastic. What was set up here in a private initiative - absolutely remarkable," says Haas, who has since switched sides himself and is responsible for the tournament at the Masters in Indian Wells. Incidentally, in 2017 he was the first professional to receive the Excellence Award from tournament director Ralf Weber.
He spends about two months a year in the sunny desert paradise on site, otherwise he lives in Los Angeles with his wife Sarah and daughters Valentina and Josephine. "Just like at every other location on the tour, you're always striving to make everything that little bit better and more perfect," says Haas. “Halle had and has this huge advantage of very short distances. Everything is within walking distance, you don't have complicated journeys, you don't get stuck in traffic, you don't lose any unnecessary time. Every player likes that.” Even the big names who regularly stop in Halle. The fact that he not only beat Federer, his friend, in the 2012 final, but also Novak Djokovic three years earlier, really refines Halle's personal balance sheet: "I've experienced a lot, a lot of good things on this Center Court."
Congratulations to Nowitzki
However, Haas is also an involuntarily competent conversation partner when it comes to a topic that is currently occupying the tennis tour: the many injuries to well-known players - and the question of how things will continue for patients like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Alexander Zverev. Haas has been a troubled man himself, perhaps the most unlucky player of his time. He was often more in doctor's offices than in the professional tennis circuit. "I often had to overcome my weaker self and fought my way back," says Haas, "giving up just wasn't an option. I had the will to pull off these comebacks as well.” Zverev, says Haas, is still young, he will be able to catch up “at the top.” And Federer? “You have to see how he feels when he starts again in the fall. I would like to see him at Indian Wells, Halle and Wimbledon next year."
Back to HalleWestfalen. And the year 2012. “It was also a wonderful experience because the big family was there. My parents were there. My father-in-law booked a flight and traveled there. And my older daughter Valentina saw her father on the tennis court, even as a tournament winner," says Haas. “Time flies by. But this victory remains. This crazy moment.” By the way: Dirk Nowitzki, the basketball giant and friend of Haas, wrote on Twitter after the win in June 2012: “Congratulations. You are my hero."
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