29.01.2010 | "I could have made it if I hadn't been in pain"

Hey Fans!

First of all I'd like to say a great big thank-you to all of you who shared the excitement of the past week with me. Unfortunately, it was not to be and I didn't make the second round in Melbourne this year. As you have probably already heard, one of the reasons was the pain in my back although I can't deny that Tsonga played magnificent tennis during our match. The decisive fifth set was so near but so far - it just wasn't possible. Maybe without pain I could have made it but in the end I had to capitulate to my constitution.

I already had problems after the five-set match against Tisparevic. I couldn't put much weight on my knee. At that point I reaslised that I needed to have it looked at after the tournament. After my elimination I flew over to Los Angeles for two days to meet up with Sara who is in the process of filming "90210" there again. Of course she managed to cheer me up a bit. From there I flew back to Florida and underwent a medical check-up. I am expecting the results next week. But I sincerely hope that everything is fine and that there will be no long-term setbacks.

All the same, I can't say I was really dissatisfied with my game during the Australian Open, despite my rather early elimination. I think I did pretty well considering that it was the first tournament of the year after a relatively long break from the real competitive action. Contrary to plan, I shan't be participating in the tournament in Santiago de Chile. But I reckon that it will be all systems go in San José and Mephis which would be very convenient as I can meet up with two doctors with whom I have experienced the most excellent treatment in the past.

Keep your fingers crossed for me that it's nothing serious!

More news soon,

Yours
Tommy

02-03-2010 | Tommy Haas's American Dream comes true



Hey fans,

I have exciting news to tell. A few days ago I became an American citizen! Back in December I had to take the naturalization examination and answer written and oral questions concerning, among other things, American history. I had to do a bit of preparation for this because even if one lives in the USA, it's still not so easy to get an American passport.

But on the 27th of January it finally happend. In Tampa, along with about 300 other immigrants from over 70 different countries, I raised my right hand to swear the oath of allegiance. I desperately wanted to do this because the United States have really become my home over the past years and that's why I considered it a logical step to apply for naturalization.

The funny thing about it, by the way, is that my good friend Alex Bose, of whom you can see some photos in the gallery, was sworn in at the same time as I was. We have been following the same path for the past 20 years: Alex also joined the Nick Bollettieri school in 1991 and received his green card in 2004, the same as me. So it's somehow logical that we simultaneously became American citizens, don't you think?

For my part, I am proud to have ventured this step in my life. Many famous people like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Marlene Dietrich, Albert Einstein, Monica Seles or Ivan Lendl, one of my greatest idols, haven taken this step before me and now I'm finally a part of this group as well.

Of course I wouldn't have done this if I hadn't had the option to keep my German passport. But as this point was guaranteed, I now have the privilege of dual nationality and I can continue playing for the German Davis Cup Team. Whether that will be the case in the immediate future, I can't yet say, but when the time comes I will give Patrik Kühnen my decision.

See you soon and take care,

Tommy

03-06-2010 | "I am doing better"

Hey fans,

I just wanted to give you an update on my recent state hip surgery. As you know, I had Dr. Marc J. Philippon operate on my hip at the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado last Friday. The surgery went as planned and I am feeling much better already. It will take some time however for me to get better and be ready for professional competition again.

I had to get this surgery done because I already suffered from stabbing pains during the match against Tsonga at the Australian Open, which is why I eventually couldn't keep up with the French man. I wasn't able to play as well as I wanted to during the last few tournaments and the returning pain in my hip, eventually made me decide to have the surgery.



That's why I went to Dr. Philippon, who is one of the leading specialist in this field who immediately advised me that an operation was unavoidable and it had to be done. To have the surgery this past friday was a hard decision to make, but the right one for me in order to be able to return to the level I expect myself to play and need to be at to compete with the very best on the ATP Tour.

The first few days after the operation were very hard for me. My hip was hurting a lot and I had to take painkillers to endure the pain. I have had a lot of sleepless nights but luckily, my fiancé Sara was able to take time of her hectic acting schedule to be by my side for this surgery. I wouldn't have been able to do it without her and I love her very much for all the support and encouragement she has given me, especially during this difficult week.

I also want quickly thank Tom "Cracker" Seifert for coming along to Vail with me straight from Delray Beach. He helped me get prepared for the surgery and he is not only a good physical trainer but more importantly a good friend.

Now a week after the surgery I am doing better. I still have some pain and doing rehab twice a day here in Colorado is not easy especially being away from home and still in a hotel. Each day I am better and I am confident that my will and dedication to return to professional tennis will help me overcome even this injury again. I will keep all if you posted along the way and thank you for supporting me over the years and also being part of this journey with me. I cannot wait to be back on the ATP Tour and I expect to be stronger and healthier then ever.

Greetings and warm wishes from Vail, Colorado,

Tommy

03-26-2010 | "I will just have to be patient"

Hey Fans,

I have been back in Bradenton for the last couple of days and I have started my rehab at the Bollettieri Sports Therapy Center. I am happy with the progress of my hip and excited to be walking without crutches again. Most of my rehab at the moment exists of riding the bike, manual therapy and isometrics type stuff. I don’t know when I can begin to hit tennis balls again. I will just have to be patient.

It’s great to have my mom here with me in Florida right now because she is such a great cook and takes great care of me. It does come with one little problem though, because I have to watch what I eat since I don’t get to work out and sweat as much as I am used to.

After my surgery I was also able to spend 2 weeks in Los Angles with Sara. We are currently looking to find a home to buy, that we both like and that is not easy. Rumors that we are getting married this may are not entirely true, we haven’t set a specific date yet but plan on having this special day sometime this year.

I have a few more days to decide now what I would like to do for my birthday and I will let you know in my next column with some updated pictures.

Best wishes,

Tommy

04-15-2010 | "My rehab is in full progress"

Hey Fans!

First of all I want to thank all of you for your birthday wishes. This year I got a chance to celebrate my birthday at home in Bradenton with my loved ones and friends. We had a big BBQ and I was finally able to break in my new grill. I am still working on becoming a top BBQ chef.

My rehab is in full progress and coming along as planned. I was even able to go on the tennis court and hit some balls left handed. It felt really good to be back on a court again. This coming week I am going to Vail to see Dr. Philippon for my six week check up. After that I plan on making a stop in Hollywood for a week to see Sara before she has to head out to London for her Psych: 9 Movie Premiere. After Los Angeles I will be back in Florida to continue rehab at the Bollettieri Academy with my sports therapist Graeme Lauriston who has been doing a fantastic job with me.

Aside from my rehab routine, I still have enough time for some fine things. The other day for example my family and I went to see my friend Ogden who bought a massive piece of land 50 miles east from Sarasota. Our tour of his massive wilderness in Florida felt like a safari in the middle of Africa. We got to see lots of different animals like turkeys, cattle, deers, Florida panthers and gators. It was an awesome experience. We took lots of pictures which you can admire at in the gallery.

I will update you soon again.

Take care. Stay strong.

Best,
Tommy

04-21-2010 | "I am really excited about the good news"

Hey fans,

This past sunday I began my trip to Vail, Colorado to have my 7 week check up with Dr. Philippon. I flew from Tampa to Denver and drove the beautiful 115 mile drive (which reminded me a lot of driving through southern Germany and Austria) to Vail.

Dr. Philippon was really happy with how everything is progressing and he gave me the ok to slowly start running which I am really happy about. Dr. Philippon and his awesome team also showed me some new exercises to do, to keep strenghtening my glute, hip flexor area.

I am now back in LA to visit Sara for a week before she heads to London.

Well, I am really excited about the good news and I look forward getting back in a bit of shape!

Hope all of you are doing great,

till soon!

Tommy

04-27-2010 | Welcome, Ruben!

Hey fans,

I just arrived back in Florida from Los Angeles. Once again I had a great trip and got to meet some interesting people during my stay. We had a family dinner with Sara's dad who is just finishing up a new album with Seal, so I got the chance to catch up with him again. I also was lucky to meet the only great female race car driver Danica Patrick and her husband at dinner. We had a great time.

Sara and I continued our house hunting and we got to see some potential future homes. Sara left on her trip to London to promote her new movie "Psych 9", while I had to return back to Florida to continue doing my rehab.

Last but not least I would like to congratulate my older sister Sabine for giving birth to her third child, a baby boy named Ruben. He weighed 4.4 kilos and was 57 cm long.

I will keep you posted and keep in touch!

Stay fit, stay healthy!

Tommy

05-13-2010 | Real-sized forehand

Dear fans!

Just wanted to keep you guys posted on what's going on with me. Besides doing my rehab everyday, which pretty much keeps me busy for a good amount of the day, I try to enjoy myself as much as I can. Besides following tennis on the tennis channel and the NBA playoffs Sara and I decided this past weekend to relax a few days in Indian Wells.

The weather was amazing and we had a great, relaxing time. This past week I also signed a deal with FATHEAD (see picture) which is a real size foto of me hitting a forehand,which tennis fans can put on the wall. I personally think this is a great idea and I am honored to be part of that. I have already ordered one for myself for my own personal collection of Tommy Haas stuff.

I will be in LA for another week to continue my hunt for a house. Hope all of you are doing great! Seize the day!

Best

Tommy

05-20-2010 | Tommy goes to the playoffs

Hey fans,

on my way back home to Florida from LA I had to make a quick stop in Orlando. One of my best friends, Gregg, who lives in Orlando, invited me to go to the NBA playoffs and watch the Orlando Magic vs Boston Celtics game. The atmosphere in the stands was absolutely amazing and we had an awesome time. Unfortunately, the Celtics took the second game in a row on the road, so my prediction now is that it will be the Lakers against the Celtics in the Championship game - which will be a lot of fun to follow. Go, Lakers!

The humidity has definitely returned to Florida. Wow, can't wait to really start training again and hit a few balls, got to keep being patient and positive.

Hope you're all doing great and, like me, looking forward to follow some great tennis at the French Open,

best and till soon!

Tommynator

05-25-2010 | HAAS-some!



Dear fans,

First off thanks to all of you for your continued support. I would like to do a shout out to Melissa Bell for this very cute and thoughtful present. The bear will have a special spot in my memorabilia room.

I am still in florida for a while and I am telling you guys my left handed forehand is coming around. Sara will come here some time this week and seek revenge on the tennis court, which will not happen ...

Stay strong and enjoy!

Best as usual!

Tommy

06-02-2010 | "It seemed just like yesterday"

Dear fans,

it seems just like yesterday that I was playing the French Open, I can't believe that it's already been a year. I enjoy watching it on the tennis channel and ESPN 2, it is definitely a lot less stressful following it from my sofa but at the same time I wish I could be there, competing ...

Besides doing a lot of rehab, giving Sara a drubbing at tennis (with my left hand) and a brutal heat wave in Florida there hasn't been much to report.

Sara and I are heading back to the west coast this weekend and then we are going to New York on the 6th of June to watch her father get inducted into the Music Hall of Fame.

I will talk to you guys soon and will share some new pics with you in my next column.

Only the very best,

Tommy

06-23-2010 | "Really sucks not being there"

Dear fans,

greetings from lovely LA! I have my friend and physio from the academy here with me this week since I am not too far away from hitting balls with my right hand again. Can't hardly wait, so I want to make sure everything is in its right place before it begins. Meanwhile my lefty forehand is quiet good I must say.

Last week we (Sara and her two youngest sisters ) surprised David in New York at the Songwriters Hall of Fame awards. It was an amazing evening with so much talent in one room: Leonard Cohen, Phil Collins, Billy Joel, Earth Wind and Fire, Paul Simon - and the list goes on. We are all very proud of David for such an amazing achievement, but the things he does off-stage are just as incredible.

We are going for a little family vacation and then, next week, it's time to get back to the heat in Florida. Always keeping busy, which is great, and following the World Cup and of course Wimbledon as much as I can. Really sucks not being there but that's how it is.

Nothing but the best to all of you and till soon,

Tommy

07-05-2010 | "How time flies"

Dear fans!

Wow, I am really impressed how beautiful Vancouver and Vancouver Island (Victoria) is. I have always heard about it, but actually being there and seeing it with your own eyes was special. Victoria is where David (Sara's Dad) grew up and he took us and many other family members on this awesome trip. Besides spending nice family days together I also got to go whale watching - and believe it or not we saw a grey whale, which was a real treat.

Now Sara and I are back in humid Florida and we watched the Wimbledon final today. Wow, congrats to Rafa for a second Wimbledon win and for a second French and Wimbledon back-to-back win. It's amazing that we have not witnessed it since Bjorn Borg and now we have seen it three straight years. I would also like to congratulate my friend Philipp Petzschner for becoming a Wimbledon doubles champion - wow, how cool is that!

I cant wait to continue to support the German team at the World Cup. What about their domination thus far? Really, really impressive and so much fun to watch. I really believe that they can go all the way, and I am sure so do many others. I will be watching ...

Rehab is still in full swing and I am slowly starting to hit with my right hand. It's quite nerve racking considering that it has been since Feb. 23 ... Wow, time flies.

In my next column I will tell you about how excited I am of becoming a father and starting my own family with Sara.

Best,
Tommy

07-14-2010 | "Something you can't explain until it happens to you"

Dear fans,

how is everything going? The World Cup fever is over and the Cup deservingly went to Spain. I would like to congratulate the young German team for finishing 3rd. It really is amazing how consistent the German team is. I am interested now to see if Philipp Lahm stays captain or if Michael Ballack wants the role back.

I hit my first tennis balls two days ago with my right arm - finally - and I tell you guys it was such an awesome feeling. The other good news was that I didn't feel any discomfort in my elbow, so I was really happy about that. Now, with me slowly starting to hit again and trying to get in shape, let's see when I will be able to return. My outside goal is still the US Open but it will be a close call. Keep your fingers crossed.

Now, as promised, more about my exciting baby news. Just three days after my hip surgery in Vail, Colorado, Sara and I found out that we are going to be parents. When she told me I was really excited, but unfortunately I wasn't able to show my emotions, as I was on crutches, a leg brace and multiple strong pain medication. Going to all the ultra sounds and seeing your baby develop is amazing and truly something you can't explain until it happens to you. We are so much looking forward to seeing her! And to all of you: if you have any nice, cute baby names in mind that you want to share, we would love to hear them.

Nothing but the best from the Sunshine State

Tommy and Sara