Haas Happy To Beat Federer, Kind Of

The last time Tommy Haas found himself embracing Roger Federer on court after a tour-level match was in March this year, as he presented his close friend with the BNP Paribas Open trophy in his capacity as the new Indian Wells Tournament Director. So when the 39-year-old German saved a match point in Stuttgart Wednesday to hand Federer his first opening-round loss at a grass-court event since 2002 Wimbledon, his celebration was more subdued, tempered of course by the respect for his friend, but also by the broader perspective his evolving career has brought.

Asked how he would feel if Federer were to lose in the opening round of his tournament, Haas joked: “It would really suck. I understand it now from that point of view. I was very happy to hand him the trophy at Indian Wells…” (In a further sign that he is growing into his new role, Haas continued “… not to say the other players on the ATP and WTA tours aren’t just as important. I respect all the athletes.”)

“This is a little hiccup for [Roger] but deep down if he’s going to lose then he’s quite happy that he loses to me since he knows I’m on my way out. So I think he can swallow this loss a little bit easier than against somebody else. He’s going to be pretty happy for me. He’ll bounce back right away. This will just motivate him to do well in Halle and to be ready for Wimbledon.”

Although most media and fans will likely see the result through the lense of a Federer loss in his comeback tournament, the match should equally be noted as validation of Haas’ dogged comeback from a career brutalised by injury.

After playing at Vienna in October 2015, Haas missed the entire 2016 season and returned at the Australian Open in January. He has undergone nine surgeries during his career on his right shoulder, right elbow, right hip, right foot, right ankle and left ankle. Making today’s victory extra special, daughter Valentina was courtside to cheer on Haas, and accompanied him to post-match press, where she asked for an ice cream.

Haas, currently No. 302 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, survived 23 aces to deny Federer his 1,100th match win by claiming the 569^th victory of his career. It was his sixth win of the season and the first time he had won consecutive matches since 2014, when he reached the Rome quarter-finals.

“I’m a little bit speechless that I beat him today. It’s been a while since I have won back-to-back matches and to do it today against Roger is obviously one of my career highlights,” Haas told ATPWorldTour.com. “It’s a very special feeling. At the same time, he’s a very close friend of mine so it doesn’t feel like such a celebration in that sense. This is my last phase, so the emotions are different from what they would have been a few years ago. This is sport. Unfortunately, one person has to lose and lately a lot of the time it has been me. I was happy to be out there in front of a German crowd playing against a friend, an idol, a legend, the greatest ever. It’s fantastic.”

Haas said that he enjoyed the atmosphere on a packed centre court, where both players received warm support.

“At times it was definitely equal support,” he said. “When he walked out, there was a big ovation. Anywhere he goes he is the fan favourite, and that’s how it should be. I started off quite nervous and tried to find my rhythm and to play my game the best way I can. I had to serve with good placement to hold my serve. I didn’t serve and volley as much as I was thinking before the match. When I was down a break in the second set I was thinking about other things and maybe played a little more freely. I broke back, saved a match point, somehow won the tie-break and found life in the third set. You have to remember he hasn’t played for some time, so it’s not easy to find rhythm. And on a surface like this, on grass, anything is possible.”

There are few certainties in tennis. How Haas’ career continues to unfold from here is anyone’s guess. But here’s one thing we do know: Haas should equip himself well should the ATP World Tour tournament directors bust out the racquets at their next get together.