Tommy Haas' worst shot?
- Thread starter zill
- Start date
zill
Legend
I think variety is key. I made this thread with the best intentions though. More of a study.
D
Deleted member 22147
Guest
His worst shot varied throughout his career. 2002 and prior he hit the ball a lot harder than he did after the surgery he had around the point in time his parents came off a motorcycle.
I would say that in his early career his weakest part of his game was his volley, but he developed that and turned it into a strength.
Later in his career he was more well rounded but lacked the power he had in 2002, by quite some distance. It's hard to say what his weakest part was at that point in time. Haas had something like 4 shoulder surgeries, plus other surgeries.
I would say that in his early career his weakest part of his game was his volley, but he developed that and turned it into a strength.
Later in his career he was more well rounded but lacked the power he had in 2002, by quite some distance. It's hard to say what his weakest part was at that point in time. Haas had something like 4 shoulder surgeries, plus other surgeries.
zill
Legend
Do you think he should have switched to a more powerful racquet after his surgeries?
D
Deleted member 22147
Guest
I doubt it. I think he liked a heavy and high string tension combo. Of course, something easier on the arm would have been better from a health standpoint but he obviously didn't feel it was possible. Who knows? Players are stubborn.
It was the shoulder surgery after his parents' accident that I noticed a difference in power. It declined even more so after other surgeries but he did change his style a lot. If he was able to approach the net like he did from 2009 onward in 2002 he would've been a much better player.
I liked Haas.
zill
Legend
How was his return of serve regarded?
D
Deleted member 22147
Guest
Haas was never a great returner but I think most people would say his return was slightly better later in his career. Haas seemed comfortable standing very far back on return, but with experience his overall feel improved and became more of a feel player and in that respect, such players are often able to stand closer in to the baseline and time returns as opposed to muscling them back from the fence.
zill
Legend
Is the large grip change that is causing his mediocre returns?
D
Deleted member 22147
Guest
Well, it doesn't help, but it is more of a mindset. Many good returners are able to return with a different grip than their standard groundstrokes. Murray is a good example of being abl to time a split step to perfection and get a good weight transfer without having to muscle the ball like a standard groundstroke. Many of his attacking returns off kick serves are with what looks like more of a continental grip, perhaps somewhere in between.
Haas used to stand so far back that he would just try and wait until the ball was dropping and screw it back.
Here Safin has just hit a standard second serve. Safin's second serves were always kicked in and normally nowhere near the lines. Haas would've been expecting this out wide, yet he's stood miles back and retreating further as he hits it trying to catch it as it drops. Not exactly exemplary returning.
zill
Legend
Well, it doesn't help, but it is more of a mindset. Many good returners are able to return with a different grip than their standard groundstrokes. Murray is a good example of being abl to time a split step to perfection and get a good weight transfer without having to muscle the ball like a standard groundstroke. Many of his attacking returns off kick serves are with what looks like more of a continental grip, perhaps somewhere in between.
Haas used to stand so far back that he would just try and wait until the ball was dropping and screw it back.
Here Safin has just hit a standard second serve. Safin's second serves were always kicked in and normally nowhere near the lines. Haas would've been expecting this out wide, yet he's stood miles back and retreating further as he hits it trying to catch it as it drops. Not exactly exemplary returning.
After which year did his returns improved substantially?
D
Deleted member 22147
Guest
It's hard to say exactly but around 2009 when he started volleying more he was taking Djokovic's second serve (Wimbledon) well inside the baseline and attacking off of it so maybe around then.
NicoMK
Hall of Fame
Maybe not.
Truth is, not being particularly a fan of Tommy as a player, I wish I had each and every shot that he has.
King No1e
G.O.A.T.
D
Deleted member 22147
Guest
Meanwhile
The angle makes it look worse than it is. For example. In the screenshot I posted with Haas, he's in a similar position, easily.
Still a funny photo
zill
Legend
Would you label Haas’ return good then at that time? Or just not as bad?
Ash Tennis
Professional
Not with @zill its not
Tommy Haas
Hall of Fame
None of the above.
zill
Legend
What then
Ash Tennis
Professional
def his forehand.
asifallasleep
Hall of Fame
At the highest levels of tennis you missed the single most important factor: mental acumen. Tommy never had the killer instinct and mentally would check out of matches at critical moments. His stroke toolbox was good enough to be great but mentally he fell far short. This is not a condemnation of him in any way, as all players outside of the big3-4 fall short mentally to varying degrees..
Injuries throughout his career didnt help either, Those were always momentum killers.
Injuries throughout his career didnt help either, Those were always momentum killers.
