(March 30th, 2013) -- Though he came up just short in yesterday's semifinals at the Sony Open Tennis event,
Tommy Haas was able to take great pride in what he accomplished over the week in Miami.
Miami caps off a remarkable comeback in the last 12 months for the soon to be 35-year-old who this time last year was out of the top 100. Now with his run to the semis that included knocking out World No. 1
Novak Djokovic, Haas will be back inside the top 15 on Monday.
"Beating Novak Djokovic
, coming back, beating (Gilles) Simon, getting to the semis. It's been an unbelievable tournament, something that, you know, I will definitely cherish for the rest of my life," said Haas in his post-match press conference. "I'll continue and I will try to get better and take this momentum to the next weeks and months, try to stay healthy. This is what it's all about for me, you know, going out in front of a packed house like that, playing the best players, and still feeling like I have a chance and playing good matches. That makes me happy, and I will try to continue as long as I can, because this is a lot of fun."
Haas and his impressive display of all-court tennis this week has earned him many admirers, especially considering he is one of the oldest players on tour. But Haas believes that being 30 or older is an advantage in some ways, especially when it comes to knowing what is best for your body and your game.
"The more I think about it, because the question comes up, you look at some of the Tri‑Athletes and Iron Man guys, they're in their mid‑30s and performing at the best, highest level. I think what it comes down to is the older you get you would assume you get wiser, " Haas said. "Now with nutrition and everything you can do, the right training, the physios that you have, you know, it just helps you, you know, mentally, knowing that you're putting in the work.You know, you just know what works for you best. You know, when you're 21, 22, 23, you're still trying to get into your own body. You might do a lot of lifting, you might do a lot of cardiovascular workout and you try to figure out what helps you the best. But, you know, with experience, that's why you see so many 30‑years‑old now in the top 100 like never before, just because you're eager, and also maybe you know like this is a way if you want to keep on riding for as long as you can."
Earlier in the week, Haas was reminded of once being a hitting partner for
Maria Sharapova, another player who was dealt a serious injury but then made a comeback to the top of the sport.
Read -- Maria Sharapova Doesn't Think She Can Afford Tommy Haas Anymore
"You know, I mean, I felt for her too when she had shoulder surgery. She was asking me which doctor I went to, and I think ultimately she had the same surgery done by the same doctor. You know, it takes a lot of time until you get the trust back and the feel. It took her a long time. And then she sort of never really thought she might have been the same player and struggled with her serve a lot, said Haas on the Russian superstar. "Sometimes people laugh at me when they say, Oh, you practice with Maria sometimes, because sometimes we are in L.A. or Florida. But her work ethic and strokes are really that good to be a great workout for me, as well. It's a lot of fun. I mean, she's professional inside and out, and it's great to see her, you know, really, really doing unbelievable again. And winning her French Open title last year was great for her to get all four and stuff. So, you know, I follow her career obviously. Really happy and proud of how she's doing."
So what is next for Tommy Haas? He firmly said "no" when asked if this might his last year on tour and indicated that things could be improving for him on the endorsement front - though he might not want to get rid of his now almost trademark lavender shirt that has become a hit among fans just yet. In a remarkable career that stretches back to his day being a young up and comer who took out then No. 1
Andre Agassi way back in 1999 to now beating the current No. 1 14 years later, Haas continues to enjoy being not only on tour, but still a force to reckon with.
"I'm still around. That's what makes me most proud in some ways, because I feel like I can still prove to myself that I can keep coming back and still can, you know, feel like I can still play with the best of them. That makes me happy."
|
(Photo Credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty) |