During the early 2000s, German player Tommy Haas was one of the best players on the ATP Tour.
Haas, who retired in 2018, cemented his status as one of the most talented young players around by winning the silver medal at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.
The German, who played with a one-handed backhand, performed at a consistently high level throughout his career, even beating Roger Federer in 2017 at 39 years old.
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However, for all of the former world number two’s achievements, he never managed to win the biggest trophies in the sport.
Tommy Haas failed to reach a Grand Slam final
Haas enjoyed his greatest successes at the Australian Open, reaching the semi-finals three times between 1999 and 2007.
He also reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2009, before losing to Roger Federer in straight sets.
Haas made multiple quarter-final appearances at the US Open, and one last eight appearance at the French Open.
However, for all of his success, he never managed to reach a Grand Slam final.
The closest Haas came to reaching a major final was at the 2002 Australian Open, where he reached the semi-final before losing to Marat Safin in five sets.
In all of his other semi-finals appearances, Haas lost to his opponents in straight sets.
Tommy Haas’ record in Grand Slam semi-finals…
| Tournament | Opponent | Result |
| 1999 Australian Open | Yevgeny Kafelnikov | 3-6, 4-6, 5-7 |
| 2002 Australian Open | Marat Safin | 7-6, 6-7, 6-3, 0-6, 2-6 |
| 2007 Australian Open | Fernando González | 1-6, 3-6, 1-6 |
| 2009 Wimbledon | Roger Federer | 6-7, 5-7, 3-6 |
Nine years after his last Grand Slam semi-final appearance, Haas retired from the sport.
As per Sky Sports, Haas said: “I consider myself extremely fortunate that I was able to play professional tennis for a living for more than two decades,” Haas said. “The sport gave me cherished friendships, an ability to travel the world, and opportunities to create incredible memories.
“It also taught me a lot about what it means to face challenges, battle back, and overcome them.
“To my parents, family, wife and children, thank you for all the love and support that you gave me over the years. And, to the fans, thank you for cheering me on throughout my career.”
Haas, who struggled with injuries throughout his career and had nine surgeries, retired as one of the greatest German players in the history of tennis, despite being unable to lift a major trophy.
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When 39-year-old Tommy Haas beat Roger Federer
At the 2017 Stuttgart Open, Tommy Haas saved a match point before beating Federer 2-6, 7-6, 6-4.
It was a remarkable result against Federer, who had won the Australian Open earlier that year and would go on to win Wimbledon for a seventh time.
“I’m not so shocked to have lost. I knew I could lose against Tommy,” said Federer after the match, as per Sky Sports. “He was so good at the end and if I am happy for anybody, then it’s for Tommy.”
“It’s always special to play a close friend like Roger on grass, always lots of emotion,” said Haas.
“I saved a match point in the second set so was able to play more freely after that. I even shocked myself.”
“I am speechless, of course. There are a lot of emotions when you are playing a close friend.
“When you come into the second set, save a match point and then come back, that always makes you very happy about a win. I am shocked myself.”
