Last year 35-year-old ex number two in the world (2002!), Tommy Haas, came back to win the headlines with his rise up to nr 15 in the world. This is how the ATP World Tour website summarizes his year: 2013 — The oldest player in Top 20 and top German reached QF or better 11 times during year, highlighted by titles in Munich (d. Kohlschreiber) and Vienna (d. Haase). Finished in Top 12 for 1st time since ’07…At 35, oldest winner since Santoro in Newport in ‘08. Also runner-up in San Jose (l. to Raonic). Oldest in year-end Top 20 since …
Tommy Haas
On the heels of a Federer early-round loss there ‘s always talk about when he’s going to retire, whether he’s lost his appetite for the competitive aspect of the sport and the possibility of the surprising defeat being the start of his downfall. Yesterday the mighty Fed Express lost against up-and-coming Kei Nishikori in a rollercoaster match that ended 4-6 6-1 2-6 (Fed’s numbers first). You could see in Fed’s play that he was rusty. He looked slow on returns and was missing some shots that I bet he would make if he had played an event prior to this. …
Sorry for the pun on your name, Tommy. I’m sure it’s not the first time you’ve heard that. But it’s sure nice to see him back on the courts, playing amazingly well at the less tender age of 35. Beating Djokovic in Miami wasn’t a one-off – Haas has been playing consistently well over months now and reached nr 14 in the world. Sometimes we forget this stylish player was ranked number two in the world at one time. This is how the current rankings graph for Tommy Haas looks like: Looking good, Tommy! Now he’s up against Ivan Dodig …