I think Hass has just as much variety as Federer.
I disagree, Haas doesn't have the variety (or consistency or even power to an extent) on the forehand side that Federer has, not from an attacking perspective, not from a rally-ball perspective or even from a defensive forehand perspective (Federer can use the squash shot on his forehand and many others, he often uses slice down the line, etc, Haas has a mechanical and operational set-up to his forehand).
but everything is very close (potential wise)
The results say something else (16 wins to not even a final), Haas's injury problems have stunted him hugely but it is worth saying that he had some mental problems and at very close matches in Majors, fitness and technical problems, which were the reasons for him losing.
Haas is a smarter player than Federer
Ludicrous, Haas had a reputation early on his career (and partly due to his upbringing at the Nick Bollettieri academy) for not being a smart player on the court, definitely not smarter than Federer!
Another ludicrous statement. How can you believe this? Finding a better tactician than Federer is hard enough, yet saying Haas is better is just baffling!
and plays way better at the net than Federer does
Not really... Haas has good volleys (on both sides) but Federer is better at the net; he can do more with his volleys and has better movement up to the net and has better (and more varied) approach shots.
He fully utilizes his entire arsenal of tools
He doesn't - at times he abuses the drop-shot and especially earlier on his career, was too one dimenionsional.
who is content with trying to outslug baseliners from the back of the court
It's funny how Haas has (or was until he serve and volleyed in 2009) one of those/these baseliners who Federer was out-slugging. Watching their early AO matches shows Federer is the player with not only more variety, but with better fitness and utilising more weapons.
Federer is a better mover, a more talented shotmaker, has more innate physical skills with his hands
Federer is also better at the net, utilises better tactics against nearly all opponents, has more variety, has better fitness (and less injuries, of course) and plays at a faster rate than Haas does; Haas is an expert at taking time away from his opponents, but when faced against players such as Blake, Safin, Nalbandian, Davydenko all near the talent of Haas and sharing similar careers in terms of success, they are players who also take time away and he has trouble with it. Federer does it more than anyone else and it makes Haas uncomfortable (at times).
His serve is as good as Federer's
From which view? Placement? Power?
taking the ball early as Haas particularly off the backhand wing
Blake, Nalbandian, Safin, Davydenko are 4 players who took the ball just as well on the rise, and of course, Federer.
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Haas deserves recognition for sure, but some of the comparisons here (to Federer also) are ludicrous, a little perspective is needed to be honest!
That being said, Haas is one of the old-guard and is refreshing to watch, on his day he has superb groundstrokes, superb serve & return, great volleys and great court positioning with aggressive tactics. Other days he is a shadow of himself.