Former World No. 2 and BNP Paribas Open Tournament Director Tommy Haas has officially retired from the ATP World Tour. The announcement came following current World No. 1 and close friend Roger Federer’s win over Hyeon Chung in the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open, being held March 5-18 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
“I consider myself extremely fortunate that I was able 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.”
15: Career titles
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 16, 2018
2: Highest ranking ⬆️
4: Major semifinals ️
Recalling the incredible career that was for @TommyHaas13 -- and looking forward for what's to come #BNPPO18 pic.twitter.com/RURvYQy5Jf
Haas reached a career-high No. 2 ranking on May 13, 2002, and finished eight seasons in the Top 20. He captured 15 singles titles throughout his career in 28 final appearances, the most recent coming in 2013 when he won at Munich and Vienna. He reached the quarter-finals or better at all four Grand Slams, highlighted by Australian Open semi-final appearances in 1999, 2002 and 2007; and a Wimbledon semi-final in 2009. In total, Haas earned 569 career wins – second-most among Germans in Open Era, with only Hall of Famer Boris Becker having more (713). Haas also won a silver medal for Germany at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. He posted a 25-13 record at Indian Wells, reaching back-to-back quarter-finals in 2007 and 2008.
Over the course of his career Haas underwent a total of nine surgeries, however he always battled back, twice being named ATP Comeback Player of the Year (2004, 2012). Haas’ final ATP World Tour match win came in June 2017 at Stuttgart – a second-round victory over Federer in front of a home crowd.
Haas was named Tournament Director at Indian Wells in June of 2016. He will continue in the role following his retirement from the ATP World Tour.
At his post-match press conference, Federer said: "I was very happy to be there for Tommy, for that big moment in Tommy's career. In the beginning, I guess we had a rivalry, but we knew each other a little bit because we are both German-speaking. So we always got along well.
"Especially in the last sort of 10 years, ever since he started dating Sara and they had kids eventually, we got to know each other better and better over time. He was always one of my closest friends on the tour. I'm just very happy for him that he was able to take this big decision.”
Watch 2017 ATP World Tour Uncovered Flashback