Haas has 500!

First topic message reminder :

Despite taking almost 5 years from 2007 to 2012 to achieve 100 wins (from 400 to 500), he has shown a champions heart and steely determination. If healthy, he wants to play all of 2013 - a worthy goal.

Haas was presented a special Fiat 500 by tournament director Herwig Straka after becoming the 38th player in the Open Era to achieve the feat. He joins Roger Federer (871), Rafael Nadal (583) and Lleyton Hewitt (566) as the only active players to attain the milestone.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2012/10/42/Vienna-Thursday-Tipsarevic-Wins-Opener-Haas-In-Action.aspx

CaledonianCraig wrote:

Redharry wrote:

CaledonianCraig wrote:

Redharry wrote:

It Must Be Love wrote:

Redharry wrote:
Really, what do internet posters know about the mental qualities of a world champion?

Well some posters were suggesting that Haas didn't have the mental fortitude of a world champion, and I think that's very possible.

btw I did an article on the possible impact of the mental aspect of tennis, if you have views feel free to comment on them
https://www.606v2.com/t34993-how-much-of-tennis-is-played-in-the-mind

I don't think anyone who hasn't competed at anything at the top level has a clue about what it involves.

No but considering how Murray was called mentally weak for losing four slam finals then Haas has to have some fault as he has never reached a slam final.

Whatever Murray is called by someone with no understanding of top flight competition as no bearing on Tommy Haas. There is no connection.

So how would you define why Haas never won a slam? Out of interest that is - welcome to the board by the way.

Thanks.

All that can be said with confidence is that he always met a better player.

Redharry wrote:

CaledonianCraig wrote:Yes credit to him for his notable achievement but lets not overdo the statements. He evidently is not out-classing 'most' of the tour by beating them otherwise he would be a habitual quarter/semi-finalist this year and be on course to end the year well inside the top ten which he hasn't been. He is on track to finish inside the top twenty this year but would agree he merits that position and is one of the most consistent players outside the top twenty. By the way I answered no to the poll question as he had a relatively injury free season in 2007 (year ending ranked 11), 2009 (year ending ranked 17) and this year (on course for year ending ranking of 20) and he never won a slam.

Most of the tour are outside the top 20. Evidently he is out-classing most of the tour.

Yes but point being he cannot break the best. Hence why his average slam record is around 3rd Round exit. A time when he starts facing the big guns. Like I said he is a quality player but destined not to be a slam winner. All eras have that type of player even the here and now.

Yes, I just thought you were wrong to say he wasn't out-classing most of the tour.

Yes a slip of tongue that's all.

The window of 2007-2012 was chosen to stay away from his #2 ranking and the subsequent Wee Keira debate, but it did not work very well.

He has been playing well. As RedHarry says, competition at the elite level is very tough and sometimes very difficult to comprehend.

As Lydian points out, there may be a very thin line between greatness and tour-level match play. Soderling (under Norman) and Berdych (under Krupa) are very solid.


2012 has been full of effort for Haas.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Ha/T/Tommy-Haas.aspx?t=pa

This is a table in that article which shows the gaps in his career, rather vividly.

Haas' Milestone Wins

Win Opponent Round Tournament & Year
No. 1 Dick Norman First Round Indianapolis 1996
No. 100 Alex Corretja Semi-finals Stuttgart 1999
No. 200 Sjeng Schalken Second Round Stuttgart-indoor 2001
No. 300 Jeff Morrison Second Round Houston 2005
No. 400 Agustin Calleri First Round Montreal 2007
No. 500 Jesse Levine Second Round Vienna 2012

1-100 wins - 3 years
101-200 - 2 years
200-300 - 3 years
300-400 - 2 years
400-500 - 5 years.