Tommy Haas Brings a Smile to the Face Yet Again

Once again, Tommy Haas has reaped the rewards of passion, commitment and his beautiful all-court game to win a rousing victory—this time at Wimbledon.

In what may be the best, and certainly the most enthralling, match of the tournament so far, he finished off a five-set marathon, played over two days against Marin Cilic, 10-8.

Haas came onto Court One, at 6-6 in the final set, looking the fresher and faster, though he afterwards admitted he had struggled to get the body out of bed this morning.

With Haas also holding the disadvantage of serving second, he initially looked vulnerable. Cilic’s serve began in blistering fashion.

But at 8-8, Haas broke through in stunning fashion, his forehands powering around the court and his mellifluous backhand working beautifully.

Then, as he served for the match, there were some pounding hearts in his box as he threw Cilic the lifeline of a double fault and a couple of break points, but Haas’ resolve and fitness took back control, and he ran out a worthy winner.

Haas won his first Master’s as a 20-year-old, and is now the oldest remaining competitor in the men’s draw. He has climbed the rankings to 34 this year on a tide of recent wins, but only managed to clinch a seeding of 24 following the withdrawal of players such as Monfils prior to the tournament.

But he certainly showed the youngest remaining player in the men’s tournament—Cilic is the same age as Haas was when he won that first Master’s—that he is still a major force to be reckoned with.

Haas came to SW19 this year with his first ever title on grass at Halle. What’s more, in winning in Germany, he beat Novak Djokovic for the first time, and claimed the scalp of world No. 9 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga en route to the final.

Before Halle, he gave Roger Federer the fright of his life in the French Open, very nearly beating him in another five-setter of drama and quality tennis. So it’s not only against the youngsters that Haas can hold his own. In Paris, too, he was also able to stand toe to toe with Federer in fitness, serving and blistering ground strokes.

Haas is an inspiration for the durability and determination that has carried him on despite many career knock-backs, most recently shoulder surgery. But he has looked fitter, stronger and happier this year than in a very long while. Indeed, he’s been seen practising at Wimbledon with Federer himself, and having a lot of fun in the process.

Haas’ biggest hurdle on the way to another match-up with his chum is Djokovic—the same Djokovic he beat in Halle. One wonders whether Haas was aiming to pick up a few tips on the practice courts should he meet Federer for the second time in a Grand Slam this year.

What a classy and elegant semifinal that would be?