[Chloe le Bopper]

He's broke through in a sense, by making the semis at Oz twice.

But IMO, from what I saw in Toronto, it would be a damn shame if he never won a slam.

Of all the players that I saw there, no one made me think "wow" like his game did - and that is even accounting for the bias I have for certain faves of mine that I watched.

He has every shot in the book, he covers the court well, his serve is superb, he's getting better mentally.

The question of course is still IF he will win a slam, but IMO it should be when...

Any thoughts?

 

[Ace Tracker]

that's right, Becca, Tommy is too good a player not to win a Grand Slam...his is an all around game, his backhand is one of the most beautiful shots in the Tour and his serve has improved considerably...I actually thought that he outplayed Cañas and this tournament was his to lose...what I don't see in Haas is the dog attitude to fight hard for every ball, that Hewitt displays constantly, and that is what is hurting his career achievements IMO...that's the same lackadaisical attitute that Rios brings to court sometimes, and no wonder they were hitting buddies few years back...

 

[safin_fan]

He has a good chance winning the Aussie Open.

 

[Chloe le Bopper]

I dont really find his attitude to be as terrible as Rios', but I see what you are saying.

What really got me about Haas was just how EASY he made it look - no one made it look that easy. He would hit the most spectacular return (I forgot to mention that those are good too!), and it was just pure instinct.

He's flick some awesome cross court winner, and not even appear to think about it.

I mean, that just isn't something you learn, you have it or you dont.

safin_fan - I agree about the Aus Open, he seems to start the year well, and has a good record there with both his semis. In fact I thought he was going to beat Marat this year.

 

[Chloe le Bopper]

If it seems I'm picking an odd time to jump on the TOmmy wagon -

The few times I've seen him on tv, usually weren't his good days (ie' hamburg to agassi), and before last week I'd never seen him live.

So that is where this sudden burst of inspiration has came from

 

[Leo7]

i thought he was gonna win the US Open last year. maybe he would have if the damn rain didn't fall when he was up a set over Lleyton in the 4th round! i think he will be a contender at the Open again this year, and could very well go all the way.

Tommy is one of the FEW players to beat Lleyton on hard courts in the past 52 weeks (Stuttgart Semis) and that win broke Hewitt's 15-match win streak. he has the game to win on EVERY surface, but i especially like his hard-court game. his best success has come on the hard courts or sure.

maybe right now he needs to improve his consistency and shot selection. but he really has matured SO MUCH in the past year, i think he will definitely win AT LEAST one GS in his career.

i'll be cheering for him with Juanqui at the USO this year. i would love for him to win it for his parents!

 

[TheBoiledEgg]

he will win the AUS open next yr i'd say

his game oozes class

 

[TennisHack]

I don't know very much about Haas or his game, but I agree, what I've seen is very, very impressive. I think he will win a Slam, but maybe only after those pesky ball-runners (Potato, I'm looking at you) wear themselves out

Like every other player who wants to win or has won a Slam, he has to be on top of his game in every match. It seems to me he gets little mental hiccups at the most inopportune times . . . but he's young yet.

What's the average age of the Slam winners this year? 26 or so? (Not counting the anomaly that was Wimbly). He has time

 

[the cat]

I can see Haas making another slam semi or two. But I don't think he'll win a slam. Could he? Of course. With Sampras and Agassi on the decline, it's wide open as to who can win a slam.
I'm going to change my opinion. I think he will win a slam.

And Eggy's right. Haas is a classy player. And classy person!

Maybe the question should be, will Safin ever win another slam?

 

[Dissident]

Well, as this thread is about Haas, I will talk about him...
Tommy is very talented. He used to have HUGE mental problems though. Usually, when he is on court, the match is all about him. He wins it or he loses it. He can hit many aces, and he can get like 3 double faults in a row. Its just the way he is.
Technically speaking, he can do anything. Just look at his performance on Stuttgart Indoor TMS last year. He was perfect there. He is got one of the best backhands out there, a huge serve, a great all-around game and he is good at the net. What he needs more is consistency, especially in his forehand.
If he can win a Slam, definitely he can. And soon. I thought he was not ready last year in Stuttgart and he showed he is. He can win the big ones too. Its just a matter of luck for things to work during the right time. In my opinion, it would be a lot more pertinent to be talking about him as a contender for the USOpen that, say, Roddick. He can win there, for sure. But he will need consistency.

 

[Chloe le Bopper]

THanks everyone for your thoughts..

Hitman I agree, he will be totally overlooked at the US Open in favour of someone like Roddick. Then if he does well they will talk about how its just suck a surprise

With Sampras and Agassi on the decline, it's wide open as to who can win a slam.

Trying to recall the last time that Agassi or Pete won a slam - oh that is right, Aussie 2001. Thanks, for a second there I thought that you were still thinking they were the main contendors.

 

[Layla]

There's no doubt in my mind that Tommy will win a Grand Slam, probably sooner rather than later. Imo, he's one of the main contenders for the US Open crown, although I do agree that the Australian Open is more likely to be his first.

I also think he will overcome his mental hiccups (if he hasn't already). I noticed that he had matured even before his parents' accident, but an event like that really puts life into perspective. I wish him all the luck in the world (unless he's playing against Ferrero ).

 

[Nimi]

Tommy Tommy Tommy... I really thought he will win OZ this year, but those last two sets against Marat... Ugh... He does have one of the best backhands on the tour, & he proved that he can hold it mentally in that match against Federer in Oz Land. Go Tommy!

 

[warfreakbix]

I also think that Haas will make a Slam breakthrough in Australia because of the heat (he's pretty used to it because he trains in Florida, I think). The when is the question we should ask Haas!

 

[Chloe le Bopper]

I almost had forgotten about the silver medal that he won on rebound ace as well

So he's won rebound ace tournaments before, two semis, and a silver medal - Oz has nice name all over it

 

[tennis elbow]

I can see Haas making another slam semi or two. But I don't think he'll win a slam. Could he? Of course. With Sampras and Agassi on the decline, it's wide open as to who can win a slam.
I'm going to change my opinion. I think he will win a slam.

And Eggy's right. Haas is a classy player. And classy person!

Maybe the question should be, will Safin ever win another slam?

it's funny when you browse through some of these older threads to see how people used to think differently back then... the cat has been right so far about Haas, but Safin has proved him wrong, but who could blame him for not trusting in the OAF?

 

[TheBoiledEgg]

his time was lost thru the missed months

sadly for him that was probably gonne be the time.

now its passed and doesnt look like getting near to one.

 

[Action Jackson]

He won't win one.

 

[Neely]

I don't think either he will win a Slam... but well, had anybody thought that other "surprise" winners will win one, a year, months before?


BTW, I agree with TBE's post.

 

[Sjengster]

The description of Haas as a classy person is one of the best laughs I've had on here. And his game is as dull as ditchwater too, I gather Bollettieri developed him as this all-court player but whenever I see him he just retreats behind the baseline and cracks the ball hard without actually trying to do anything with it.