Tommy Haas, who had a career high ranking of number two, is making a return to the ATP tour after hip surgery and PRP treatment for his chronic patella tendinitis. (What is PRP? – click here) Haas also had elbow surgery in March last year.
After more than a year off the competitive circuit, in which time his fiance Sara Foster gave birth to a baby girl, Valentina, Haas is planning to return to the tour in Munich. Tommy will only play doubles at the event with Radek Stepanek.
“I’m looking forward to the tests of seeing how my body feels, playing competitively again. Going out there is something you can’t really practise, so being tight and kind of nervous, and wanting to win again, I need to see how that feels and also see how my body responds.
I’m always compensating with something else, and then something else goes wrong, so it’s nice to be back in Munich, to see my family, my team and the people that take good care of me, doctors and physios.
I’m hoping to see what it’s like, and hopefully make a return in singles the next few weeks.”
That’s not to say Haas hasn’t enjoyed his time off. “I’ve really been enjoying life. I became a dad five five and a half months ago, which was obviously great. My daughter is everything that really matters to me now.Timing wise, being away and off, it wasn’t that bad. I missed competing and playing… at the same time, life opened a lot of different doors for me. It’s been great and a thrill.
Time goes by really fast too. I can’t believe it’s been 14-15 months again since I actually played competitively.
I
’d like to see one more time what I can do, if I can stay healthy and play a little bit, it would be great if my daughter could maybe see me play in a year or two, just at least a couple times, to see what I actually did before I stopped completely.
If my body doesn’t allow it, she’s going to have to take a look at some old tapes or see me on the senior tour!”
