Tommy Haas is in top form for a short comeback
Tommy Haas returns to the tennis court at the exhibition fights in Berlin (starting today with Eurosport and ServusTV). The 42-year-old wants to "annoy the young competition" a bit.
by SID
last edit: Jul 13, 2020, 12:05 pm
His figure is reminiscent of earlier days of competition, and the will to win is on fire again: Tommy Haas is back. The 42-year-old tennis pensioner is swinging his racket again at the show tournament in Berlin. The former world number two had ended his career three years ago.
"I have to train a lot to have a chance at all. But as a former professional, the ambition is of course still there," said Haas before his first duel at Steffi Graf Stadium on Monday against the 18 year old Italian Jannik Sinner (live at ServusTV and Eurosport). "Maybe annoying a bit here and there, that's my goal," he added.
The racket scene is impressed by his comeback. "He is fit, you can see that. I think it's great that he dares to do that," said tournament director Barbara Rittner. The national trainer believed that the "senior" had one or two surprises at the tournaments in Grunewald and in hangar 6 of the former Tempelhof airport.
Haas - "Inevitable cancellation of Indian Wells"
Haas has prepared thoroughly and has been in Germany for several days. Before that, he also worked on his fitness in California, where the native of Hamburg lives. "I have a lot of friends in Los Angeles who have played some college tennis. Other friends in LA have a house with a tennis court, so I might be on the court four to five times a week," he said longtime professional.
For his trip to Germany in Corona times, Hass accepted some difficulties. He had to undergo several tests before he was allowed to enter the airport and also needed a certificate from his family doctor from Los Angeles. "It's nice to be back in my old homeland," said Haas, who was last in Berlin in 1991.
As the tournament director of Indian Wells, Haas had seen the outbreak of the pandemic up close in the spring. "Our tournament was one of the first to be canceled," said the California native. That was a difficult situation at the beginning of March, especially since 95 percent of the players were already there. "In retrospect, the cancellation was inevitable," said Haas.
Hope for the US Open
Unlike many Americans, Haas does not take the corona pandemic lightly, praises the high safety and hygiene standards that prevail at the tournaments in Berlin. Haas welcomed the fact that viewers could be there again.
"This is a right step," said the family man, who still believes that the planned restart in tennis in August with the US Open as a highlight can succeed. "I hope that we can return to normal soon," said Haas. Only how this new reality will look, one has to "find out in the next few months".