Tommy Haas announces retirement

[thrust]

Some personal reminiscences of Tommy:

He played Federer just twice at the Australian Open. Both matches went to 5. Haas was beloved in Australia and the crowd atmosphere at both matches was electric.

Haas was a notorious over-trainer, both in the calisthenics room and also on the court. He brutalised his body. It contributed to his injuries but also gave him confidence in matches that he would be able to go to physical zones that his opponent couldn't.

The stroke mechanics of his OHBH were near perfect and very rarely broke down regardless of conditions or opponent.

Sad that we won't see him on court now but it's great to see him have a role of international importance still in tennis as the replacement TD at Indian Wells.

Replacing the hoary old bigot Ray "Rudy" Moore with the universally loved Tommy Haas was a masterstroke by Larry Ellison.

Off-topic, but the Hall of Fame situation is going to be tricky here..... on the letter of the law he shouldn't be going in. And recently they have hinted that the entry requirements have been raised even higher. But this year's entrants seem to suggest that there is some wriggle room and even players without glittering singles tournament hauls might still be able to get in.

So now NO slam wonders should get into the HOF? I don't think he even won 20 tournaments.

 

[sureshs]

When he became TD of IW, it was clear that he will retire.

 

[BeatlesFan]

So now NO slam wonders should get into the HOF? I don't think he even won 20 tournaments.

And yet Thomas Muster with a slam and 45 career titles is not in the HOF. I love Haas, but he is nowhere near HOF material.

 

[King No1e]

Best wishes in retirement to the man with the second longest slam career of any male player in the Open Era (20 years, 11 months from 1996 US - 2017 Wimbledon).

Agassi, Connors, Santoro all had longer careers. Federer is up there too. Not second longest, but still an amazingly long career given how many long-term injuries he's had.
One of the best to never win a Slam

 

[serpentsrace]

Such a talented player and such a nice man. It is a shame his career was beset by injuries. He had lots of potential to win multiple slams. He is still incredibly handsome even at 40 and has the hottest wife on tour.

 

[Phoenix1983]

Agassi, Connors, Santoro all had longer careers. Federer is up there too. Not second longest, but still an amazingly long career given how many long-term injuries he's had.
One of the best to never win a Slam

If you'll read my post, I said second longest slam career in the OE. Only Connors has had a longer span, at 22 years. (Santoro and Agassi had slightly shorter spans of just over 20 yrs; Federer is currently at just under 19 yrs)

 

[clayqueen]

Strong case for THAT shot being the most important in Fed's career.

Also, a missed chance of Haas winning a slam.

 

[MichaelNadal]

I swear dude has retired like 10 times already

Tommy Haas is the Jeff Jarrett of tennis?

 

[serpentsrace]

Also, a missed chance of Haas winning a slam.

Haas would not have beaten Del Potro in the semis for sure. I am still a bit amazed Federer found a way past that match, as he badly outplayed the first 3 sets.

His chances at a slam as it was were the 2002 and 2006 Australian Opens. Maybe the 2001 or 2002 U.S Opens if he had gotten past the round of 16. That is it.

 

[clayqueen]

Haas would not have beaten Del Potro in the semis for sure. I am still a bit amazed Federer found a way past that match, as he badly outplayed the first 3 sets.

I've got a complete blank after R16 of the 2009 RG especially as we left to go on holiday and I got food poisoning on the way to the resort. The worst bit was arriving at the apartment feeling really ill and as we put the TV on there was Fed kissing the trophy. That image has never left me and I didn't get over it until RG 2010 when Rafa took his revenge on Sod and got his trophy back.

 

[AiRFederer]

Tommy Haas is the Jeff Jarrett of tennis?

Or ric flair

Mick foley?

 

[johnwah]

Haas can live off his wifes inheritance for the rest of his life.. he doesnt even need to work...

 

[King No1e]

If you'll read my post, I said second longest slam career in the OE. Only Connors has had a longer span, at 22 years. (Santoro and Agassi had slightly shorter spans of just over 20 yrs; Federer is currently at just under 19 yrs)

My mistake; Haas did have a longer career than Agassi and Santoro.

 

[Mainad]

Haas can live off his wifes inheritance for the rest of his life.. he doesnt even need to work...

With more than 13 million dollars of his own in the bank I doubt he needs to live off his wife for anything!

 

[MichaelNadal]

#TeamSexyRich

 

[Tommy Haas]

Still ripped!