Haase, at 35 one of the older players in world tennis, is one to listen to; someone who has something to say. It was not for nothing that the Dutchman was once part of the "Players' Council".

And Haase advocates adjustments in tennis to modern times. "Tennis needs to get a little bit faster and more exciting," he told claytenis.com . However, not related to the game itself, but the trappings. Sets up to 4, as in the Next Gen Finals, have been tested for years. Always bring it on, "because many players are currently not so concerned about the first games of a set". If you have won the first set, you don't care much about 40:15 at 1:1 in the second round. "But when you know the set only goes to 4, there aren't that many opportunities to break, so you better play the point and take the game." One could at least experiment with it, says Haase. Especially tournaments in the 250 category, which would have it harder than the bigger events anyway, could offer something different.

Haase: Away with the net serve

The net surcharge should also be omitted, only tradition speaks for it. "If I bring over a strong serve that barely touches the net, I have to repeat. "Why? It was a great serve!" The machine also costs a lot of money and does not always work reliably. And above all: Many spectators would not understand that - after all, there is no repetition during the rally.

The challenge system was overhauled a little too quickly for Haase's liking. "Hawk-Eye was very entertaining. The players were able to challenge and the viewers loved it. Now (with Hawk-Eye live) there is no interaction in the audience. The Technology has developed too quickly." Of course, the current system is the future, but in tennis "sport is the only entertainment". There is no music, nothing for the audience. Viewers would have to wait a long time, which also makes no sense. "If I buy a ticket and have to wait in line for ten minutes, I would ask myself: what's the point?"

Haase himself - as a former number 33 - still wants to play what is possible, after that he has to decide whether he might only continue in doubles. "I've had a long career, 18 years. Traveling is tough. Tennis gave me a lot, but I also missed a lot."