He was a player, coach, captain and now direct member of the Indian Wells tournament. As well as one of the best German tennis players in history. Tommy Haas gave an interview to Tennis Magazine and almost everything is worth rescuing. We leave you the most interesting below.
Indian Wells conditions
“It is a very slow surface, plus there is heat and a bit of mountain air, the balls become heavy very quickly. That means it’s harder to finish a point, you almost have to win it two or three times, but it’s also more exciting and spectacular for the crowd, let’s say the athletic aspect stands out. Those words from Medvedev are part of the entertainment, you don’t always have to take things so seriously, but it’s clear that we try to listen to the players and see how we can improve.”
A calendar full of tournaments
“There are currently 63 tournaments on the ATP circuit, plus the four Grand Slams. As a former player, I understand the conflict that exists, the recovery times are short, as are the preparation phases. One plays until the end of November and around Christmas the preparations for Australia begin again. On the other hand, there are many world tennis leagues played in Dubai which, through a good offer, players accept. Or for example, when they tour South America, should they do it?”
Everything is driven by money
“The big money, of course, the players know that the career doesn’t last forever and that it can end quickly if you get injured. Take Casper Ruud, who had a great 2022 season, but was on a pro-South American tour with Nadal in the preseason period. I don’t think he can do that another year, but of course, Casper may have doubts about whether or not he will reach another Grand Slam final. If they want him in South America, regardless of whether he wins or loses, he can be there and play a series of games. Professional tennis hardly allows you to plan anything with certainty.”
High of the doubles circuit
“It’s something I realize every time we have to prepare the order of play for the next day. It always gets complicated when you have to organize so many top players, many of whom also want to play doubles, which of course is a good sign. We are also a special tournament in that sense, there are people who come to Indian Wells explicitly to watch doubles. “The fans like to see that some singles players are willing to play doubles, they want to see them there too.”
What would your ideal calendar look like?
“I would bet on the Formula One format: 20 really big tournaments, preferably always with men and women together, each tournament lasting a week and a half in the best facilities in the world. Of course, respecting the four Grand Slam tournaments that exist and the nine current Masters 1000, but we must look for new places where tennis has room for growth, where tennis can be even more popular.”
Follow-up of Alexander Zverev
“Little by little he is getting closer to his previous form, he is a great athlete and has a lot of projection. His backhand is powerful and confident, his first serve is a very strong weapon, so he gets a lot of free points. As a former player, I also see some aspects in which he could still work. For example, take the right a little earlier and follow it a little further. On the backhand, he could vary a little more with the slice, which is very solid. But he is progressing, now he goes to the net more frequently and shows more confidence there.”
Health of the German quarry
“Some interesting players are arriving, like Max Schönhaus, for example. People know how hard it is to get to the top of the world in this sport, especially now that good people are playing longer. Pete Sampras and Boris Becker retired at 30, but Djokovic at 36 is hungry like a teenager, that’s his mentality. When he tells stories about how he grew up during the war and dreamed of giving his family a better life… you can’t learn that, you either have it or you don’t.”
Tommy Haas Academy, a pending project
“There were conversations about whether I wanted to do it, but I’m someone who is extreme. If I do it, then everything has to be perfect, with the perfect environment and team, as well as being there 100%. Now my children are still small, we live in Los Angeles, if I did it here in Indian Wells I would have to be away five days a week, I would only see them on the weekend. “I don’t want that yet, I like spending time with my family.”
2023-10-04 21:00:44
#Novak #Djokovic #hungrier #teenager
