Tommy Haas Says Roger Federer Is The GOAT

by Tom Gainey | September 1st, 2015, 2:24 pm
  • 17 Comments

The clock is ticking for Tommy Haas. The 37-year-old German may have just played his last US Open yesterday, losing to Fernando Verdasco in the first round.

With all his experience and years on the tour, Haas was asked about who he thought are the greats of the game.

“Best player, Roger is up there, for sure,” Haas said. “I think he’s the greatest of all time. You know, the results speak for that, as well. A lot of great competitors out there, though. I think playing against Rafa is one of the most physically challenges out there. Djokovic, Murray, they make it — what they have done physically and also, you know, defensively with the shots, it’s a whole new level.


“I think Agassi is still one of the best strikers I have ever played against. When you see him hit the ball today, just hitting the ball in general, I think he’s still one of the best strikers. So it’s been great playing against so many generations. It’s been great, and I hope to have a few more first six months next year and see what else is out there for me. It’s been a fun ride.”

Haas also said Pete Sampras had the best serve.


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17 Comments for Tommy Haas Says Roger Federer Is The GOAT

chris ford1 Says:

And there are those that say Tommy Haas was the best looking guy to play in the Open Era, so there is that for Tommy. Though he and Safin are the “what could have beens” of the late 90s early 2000s – without Safins being mentally out of sorts for extended periods and Haas and Haas’s parent’s injuries.

Tommy, due to his longevity, is one of the few (Fabrice Santoro is another) who can speak of other players of several generations and compare. Since he played them all.
So what he and Fabrice and a few others say as “bridges” across time.
Fabrice actually got to play Connors and Djokovic and most players in between. And had wins over them, Sampras, Fed, Agassi and most others (was 0-1 against Rafa) – Santoro had victories over 18 players who were rated #1 at some time. Haas not too far behind.

Of course, such is the nature of the Big 4 that while thinking Fed was the best he faced, Haas has high praise for Rafa, Andy and Nole. As well as Sampras and Agassi.

Lot of luminaries of the past are leaving the Tour shortly. Mikael Youzhny, Leyton Hewitt, Mardy Fish, Haas, Jarkko Nieminen. Thanks to all of them for bettering the sport.

September 1st, 2015 at 3:03 pm


madmax Says:

Nice post ChrisFord

September 1st, 2015 at 4:23 pm


madmax Says:

OMG

Federer just decimated his opponent. Unbelievable. I got my times wrong completely, match over!

September 1st, 2015 at 4:24 pm


skeezer Says:

“With all his experience and years on the tour, Haas was asked about who he thought are the greats of the game.

“Best player, Roger is up there, for sure,” Haas said. “I think he’s the greatest of all time. ”
Boom!

September 1st, 2015 at 4:57 pm


RZ Says:

“And there are those that say Tommy Haas was the best looking guy to play in the Open Era”

@chris ford1 – Haas would be one of my top picks for sure!

September 1st, 2015 at 5:01 pm


RZ Says:

^ But to your more important points, yes it’s sad that Tommy’s injuries have affected his career so much.

And that’s quite a list of retirements coming. I like all of those players mentioned.

September 1st, 2015 at 5:02 pm


Margot Says:

Well…I’m sure Haas loves kittens and is kind to his mum….but I always thought him a tad arrogant.
Fab tennis player tho.

September 1st, 2015 at 5:25 pm


elina Says:

As much as his fans want to deny it for some reason, just like Roger and I have said, he’s playing better than ever as illustrated by the stats.

Just a reminder that he’s my pick to win the open.

Why Roger Federer has a big advantage at the US Open

http://flip.it/YAxkD

September 1st, 2015 at 6:01 pm


brando Says:

@Skeezer: be honest: did you change your underwear upon sight of this article?

September 1st, 2015 at 6:04 pm


elina Says:

Well we all know what era Tommy came from.

I kid of course.

Seriously, if Roger wins his eighteenth next week as he should, who can deny it?

September 1st, 2015 at 6:09 pm


RZ Says:

@Margot – I’m not sure someone who berates himself that much could be arrogant. Did you ever see the video of his self-criticizing monologue during a changeover? It’s pretty funny. Apparently Fed jokes with him about it fairly often

September 1st, 2015 at 6:09 pm


jane Says:

tommy’s looks are almost “cartoonishly” good, like he could be a disney prince or a ken doll or something, ha ha. not a big fan of that.

September 1st, 2015 at 6:15 pm


ertorque Says:

talking about longevity on the tour, Kimiko Date springs to mind. She has played Sabatini, Graf and is still active. It’s mind boggling!

September 1st, 2015 at 10:22 pm


Tennis Vagabond Says:

When they were teens, I thought it would be Haas that would become the major force, but Fed leapfrogged him, and then an injury and sickness plagued career kept him from ever getting back to the elite.
CF, great post, and I agree. Tommy and Marat are two of the best talents and could-have-beens of the sport. Not that they could have been in the Roger-Rafa-Sampras stratosphere, but they could have racked up some slams. Marat’s defeat of Fed in the Aussie open semifinals was one of the best matches I’ve ever seen. Marats defeat of Sampras at USO was one of the best performances by one player I’ve seen.

September 1st, 2015 at 11:04 pm


Michael Says:

Haas has accorded the greatest compliment to Roger who has achieved so much in this sport. He definitely doesn’t need the controversial GOAT tag to demonstrate his greatness. Roger will always remain the top icon of this sport and his name will linger on as long as Tennis survives !!

September 2nd, 2015 at 8:04 am


calmdownplease Says:

If Tommy Haas says Fed is the GOAT…
Who are we to argue?
IT’S A WRAP!
lol

September 2nd, 2015 at 9:09 am

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