Due To Shoulder Surgery Tommy Haas’s 2014 Season Is Over, Is His Career Also Over?

In an announcement from his management, Tommy Haas will undergo a fourth surgery on his right shoulder in New York by Dr. David Altchek at the Hospital for Special Surgery on Tuesday. The surgery will end his 2014 season and at 36 it’s a longshot he’ll make it back on the tour. But the oft-injured Haas is optimistic.

“The diagnosis was a real shock for me but a surgery can’t be avoided because the injury is very serious,” said Haas. “I don’t want to retire from the tennis stage with an injury but would like to end my career on the court.

“I’m still totally convinced I’ve good matches and tournaments ahead of me as long as the shoulder operation proves to be successful and my body plays its part.”

According to the release, surgery became “unavoidable as no fewer than three tendons have been damaged.”

Ranked No. 20 this week, Haas has been as high as No. 2 in the world in 2002. He has won 15 titles and is a 4-time Grand Slam semifinalist.

In his last event Haas had to retire in the first round at the French Open to Jurgen Zopp.

“It’s been a struggle since the beginning of the year obviously and I’ve already had to retire in matches, which is never fun,” Haas told ATPWorldTour.com. “Last week I had to take another MRI after Paris because it was a severe thing I felt again in the shoulder. Unfortunately it’s an injury I’ve already had before that was fixed, but my sub-scapular tendon is torn again.

“It’s a big step backwards in a long process, but I want to hopefully come back again at some point and finish my career on my own terms when I’m ready for it. I’ll try everything I can.”

UPDATE: Tommy underwent surgery Tuesday.

Surgery went well …Thanks for all the well wishes.Luckily i have the World Cup and Wimby while stuck in this sling. pic.twitter.com/3cYrMJlPSw

— Tommy Haas (@TommyHaas13) June 18, 2014