Tommy Haas Still Steaming About Not Being Nominated for Olympics

Written by: Staff on 2nd August 2012

Citi Open tennis tournament in Washington, DC

Tommy Haas Still Steaming About Not Being Nominated for Olympics

epa03331101 Tommy Haas of Germany returns a ball in his first round match against Michael Russell of the USA at the Citi Open tennis tournament in Washington, DC, USA, 31 July 2012. Haas beat Russell in straight sets. EPA/SHAWN THEW |

Germany ‘s Olympic tennis exile Tommy Haas still cannot believe that he is not competing at the London Games. But the 34-year-old longtime national stalwart is burying his disappointment by playing this week in the ATP event in Washington , a decade and a half after first competing at the venue in the US capital.

Haas said that the decision by German tennis bosses not to nominate him for a Games wild card still stings. “When I watch the Olympics, I’m still surprised I’m not there,” said the one-time No. 2, a medal-winner 12 years ago in Sydney .

“The German Olympic committee didn’t nominate me, which was a big mistake in my eyes. That’s life. That happens. I’m happy to play the same week while the Olympics are going on.”

German men’s tennis at the Games has collapsed into a shambles as late appointee Philip Kohlschreiber withdrew from his hard-fought place after running down his batteries by winning last week’s ATP event in Kitzbuehel and making a return to the ranking top 20.

The German federation had ruled that any player not ranked at least 24 could not have a spot on the Olympic squad. Even the Haas title on grass at home in Halle did not have an impact on that harsh rule.

“I was fit and ready to go,” said Haas, who did not play 2008 Beijing due to injury. “I think it’s a special occasion, it’s at Wimbledon . I was very disappointed not to be part of it but you forget about it now and try to worry about playing in the tournament.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

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