AT 39 YEARS OLD, TOMMY HAAS STILL GETTING HIS KICKS ON THE ATP TENNIS WORLD TOUR

Written by: Staff on 26th April 2017

AT 39 YEARS OLD, TOMMY HAAS STILL GETTING HIS KICKS ON THE ATP TENNIS WORLD TOUR |

Special selfie @miamiopen, thanks for coming out to watch some Tennis – Photo by @tommyhaasofficial via Instagram.

By Ricky Dimon

Tommy Haas is one year older than ageless wonder Ivo Karlovic. But that’s nothing. Haas is five years older than Andy Roddick, who retired in 2012. He is three years older than Fernando Gonzalez, who also retired in 2012. He is two years older than Juan Carlos Ferrero, who retired from singles in 2012.

But he’s not done yet.

Find the Selfie @tommyhaasofficial @miamiopen @atpworldtour – Photo by @mauriciopaiz via Instagram.

Haas, who is now the tournament director at the Indian Wells BNP Paribas Tennis Masters despite still being active on the ATP Tour, has played seven matches in 2017–and won two of them. The former world No. 2 took down Reilly Opelka in Houston and beat Benoit Paire in Monte-Carlo. He has also taken sets off Tomas Berdych and Jack Sock.

And he’s also taken a mid-match selfie with an iguana.

“I think when you go out there and compete, you hope for the best, that is to try to play well and try to win,” Haas said following his win over Paire in Monte-Carlo. “Any time that happens…it’s a very nice feeling, of course. I just try to build from that. Try to get stronger physically; get more used to playing matches again–points when it counts. You can do a lot of things in practice and off court, but you cannot replicate that for match play.”

The German has done a lot of coming and going throughout his illustrious but injury-plagued career. He has gone from inside the top 10 to outside the top 40, to No. 2 and then to unranked, to inside the top 15 and back outside the top 40, back inside the top 10 to outside the top 80, inside the top 20 and back to unranked, back inside the top 15 to unranked, and he now registers at No. 459 in the rankings.

Haas has been forced to undergo nine major surgeries–on rotator cuffs, shoulders, elbows, hips, ankles, feet, and who knows what else. Despite all of that, he has won 15 singles titles, appeared in 28 finals, and brought home the silver medal from the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Although his title-winning days may be over, the Bradenton, Fla. and Los Angeles native is now playing for pride–and for satisfaction.

So excited to watch @rogerfederer go all the way this week! Now is your time! We love you!!! – Photo by @sarafoster via Instagram.

“There is no better, bigger satisfaction than when you go out there, competing and winning,” he explained. “In this case for me, it’s a big satisfaction. I’m very proud of the fact that I’m actually still out there, competing at this age. Due to setbacks and injuries I’ve had, I could have easily thrown in the towel a couple times. But I’m still out there trying to finish this game on my own terms. That’s what I’m doing. I’m proud of that.”

Like many players who are past their prime, Haas has his fair share of critics in the media and even in the locker room. Even Paire was unimpressed while losing 6-2, 6-3 to the grizzled veteran in Monte-Carlo.

“He is null,” the Frenchman was heard saying during the match. “If I play for two seconds, I win 6-2 6-2.”

And at his press conference: “Today age didn’t matter. Even against a player of 70 years I would have lost today because I wasn’t able to play at all.”

Paire, and others, should be know better than to criticize a 39-year-old who is out there grinding against players in their early 30s, 20s…and some even less than half of Haas’ age (Opelka is 19). But in case they don’t, they will feel the wrath of Haas’ wife–actress Sara Foster.

“Tommy had pneumonia when he played this tool in Australia,” Foster posted on Twitter, referencing Paire following the Monte-Carlo match. “Did he mention that in the press conference? No he didn’t.”

While his better half is beating up people on social media, it hardly matters if Haas is beating opponents on the court. Just being out there at his age and after countless surgeries is a victory of sorts. Haas says he will call it a career following this summer’s grass-court swing, but from the looks of him–and of his results–he could play forever.

Go on, Tommy! Keep Playing!

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand. You can follow him on twitter at @Dimonator.

10sBalls Editors Note: We sat down with Tommy in December. He was training for AUSTRALIA and we squeezed in a lunch.

What an amazing man. He is Direct. Bright. Charming. Intense. Sharp. He is a Hard working Fighter. (coming back from so ️maybe injuries)

For the future of Tennis – he is a “Knight in shining armour”… Yup. We really were impressed. He is so disciplined … The gym work, his fitness level is beyond amazing. I’m hoping he just keeps playing….. He is also blessed by a beautiful and awesome wife and family.

And for some fun watch his “Boy Band” with his Father in Law David Foster on the piano and Tommy, Grigor and Roger Federer singing. There’s the Malibu version and the La Quinta version. Both are great. Tommy have fun enjoy the “bonus round”. (LJ)

Not every day you find tennis courts at an airport #loveit #bmwopenbyfwu #haasome @munich_airport – Photo by @tommyhaasofficial via Instagram.

At almost 39 YO, 15 surgeries and countless other setbacks @tommyhaasofficial prepares for most likely his last Aussie Open in this photo. I wish I had 5 percent of your work ethic and dedication. Lets hope our daughters take after you and not me or they will most likely be strippers. – Photo by @sarafoster via Instagram.

Topics: 10sballs.com, Sports, Tennis News, Tommy Haas

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