[Verve]

I remember him being at no. 2 some time a few years back - like 3 years ago. Then he got struck by injuries, and it seems like he never really recovered and still hasn't. I think with his game and talent he could still definitely be a top-10 player, but he doesn't quite seem to be able to make it...

What do you guys think? I must admit I haven't been following him closely the past few years, it just came to my mind all of a sudden.

And if you think he won't be able to reach the top again, what do you think the reason would be for that? (eg lack of talent versus today's top guys, aging, lack of motivation, mental problems, injuries, ...)

 

[Neely]

And if you think he won't be able to reach the top again, what do you think the reason would be for that? (eg lack of talent versus today's top guys, aging, lack of motivation, mental problems, injuries, ...)

I don't think he will ever be at the top again. But he's still good enough for top 25 or top 20.

Reasons? one big injury that kept him out for 15 months (if you get injured on your hitting shoulder like that, it has a deep impact on you), always again little injuries/health problems, always new personal problems that affect him (therefore not as consistent as he used to be), lots of irregular coaching, mentally not stable enough nowadays... main reasons for me

At his age, I think age is not yet a factor.

 

[adee-gee]

Truly talented player.

I hope he can reach the top again, but I don't think he can. The injury seems to have completely thrown him. Agree with pretty much everything Neely said to be honest.

 

[mandoura]

I agree with adee-gee and Neely. I might add frustration and lack of motivation. I too think he is an extremely talented player, would love to see him in top 10 again but I am not too hopeful. I thought he would do it soon after his come back. But who knows, he might do it.

 

[Neely]

Sure, frustration is also a reason for him. He gets frustrated way too easily on bad days (like so many other players), if he has the feeling that nothing is going into his favour or if he has an imaginary problems with his racket or with his grip that get into his head sometimes and all these things can affect his play and temper, and as a consequence he is going down too quickly too often for his "true" ability what he could play or what he formerly played, respectively.

An example for lack of motivation would be the 1st round match in Rome where it was very clearly visable and he himself said that it was a better deal for him losing first round (after playing the Munich semifinal on Saturday before) than pulling out on short notice of a Masters and probably getting fined. But overall I think the motivation to play is there in general. Otherwise he would not have fought back from his injury where he really did a lot, even during worst times as he couldn't even hold a racket, let alone striking the ball, in his right hand and as he was practising with his left hand to avoid losing touch and the feeling for game and footwork completely. Most of the times the frontier between lack of motivation and frustration is very close, same for Tommy, maybe even more than for other players. But overall I think he just can't express his motivation as well as others: he doesn't celebrate the great points as emphatically as he is scolding and quarrelling furiously with himself after playing pathetic points, so this could leave people sometimes wondering: "what the fuck? this guy is leading, has everything set up in his favour, just played a perfect point and no really positive reaction or body language?" Also, he's is hardly somebody who is running around and who is underlining in each interview or statement that he wants to win everything, that he wants to win Wimbledon... things like that.

 

[JustmeUK]

to me Tommy is one of those perfectionist players. he's not happy to win unless he's playing perfect tennis. it's almost as if the good points are expected.. n when he doesn't play tennis he feels he can he starts berating himself. some people can do that and still play tennis (superbrat for one springs to mind).. but for Tommy, he too often disintegrates and when he implodes he loses it very very quickly .

 

[mandoura]

Yes, Neely, I know what you mean and agree with you. Frustration and lack of motivation are like the chicken and the egg, which came first.

Remember the rally between him and Hewitt in the US open last year? I think it was in the final set and Haas won the point. This is the Haas I admire, the one who is really fighting to be back in top 10. I like him a lot and really want him to be back to his best form. I am sure it is not lack of talent that is stopping him. Besides, we have to thank him for establishing the sleeveless top to ATP .

 

[federer express]

could reach the top (ish) again. has everything he needs, but may just take a while longer after his prolonged time out of the game. finding that groove again is not easy in anything, but even harder in top level professional sport i imagine. my only major concern would be if the shoulder has affected his serve permanently. he can still generate power with it but the confidence and consistency are lacking. hopefully, he just needs a good 6 months or so to get him back playing his best on a consistent (i use that word reluctantly with tommy) basis.

 

[Neely]

Yes, I remember this point that you mean of the Hewitt match! He did well for this point and good he did not surrender despite he was in literally lost position already, but overall, he got owned way too easily and too quickly and Haas is a very bad player in windy or misty (small rain) conditions. Federer (okay, he's a high standard) could find ways to win and to dig himself out, for example against Agassi which was also very difficult due to the weather, but I personally had the feeling that Haas already lost the match (mentally accepted the loss) against Hewitt before starting to play this day.