Oh, Padel! Tommy Haas‘ New Love Affair
So here we are, folks! Tommy Haas, the former number two in the world, has traded in his tennis racket for a new romance—padel! And if you’re wondering what padel is, it’s basically tennis with extra steps and fewer dress codes. The best part? You don’t have to hit as hard. Instead of leaving your opponent with a bruise, you just leave them utterly confused!
The Padel Push
In an interview with Dietmar Gessner, Haas gleefully talks about his newfound passion and the American professional padel league. You’ve got to hand it to Haas—he’s not just playing padel; he’s franchising it! If he keeps this up, soon he’ll be owning the San Diego Dodgers or whatever they’re called—let’s just hope they stick to rackets and avoid baseball bats!
Now, imagine being a franchisee for a league nobody asked for. "I mean, who wants to play pickleball?" he quips. It’s like asking, "Who wants to watch the new Fast and Furious movie?"—everyone knows it’s just by-the-numbers madness! Listening to him, you’d think pickleball was a design flaw in the sport universe, like a bad line in a sitcom or that one relative who shows up with a distasteful dessert!
Tennis vs. Padel: The Great Debate
Haas is on the padel train, positioning it as the future of racquet sports. I’d love to see how that conversation goes when he meets Roger Federer. “What’s that, Roger? You prefer the elegant finesse of a tennis match over the chaotic thrill of padel? Well, good luck with your ACL!”
Haas continues to dunk on pickleball, saying he’d rather play table tennis if push came to shove. I mean, let’s face it: table tennis makes for a more thrilling match than pickleball—have you seen the spin those players can put on a ball? It’s like watching a magic show, and just as riveting!
Hotels, Tournaments, and Padel Courts Galore
Haas envisions padel courts flying up at resorts faster than you can say “Daisy, chain me to a court!” Can’t you just picture sprawling resorts where you can eat, sweat, and pretend you’re an athlete—all while sipping your overpriced smoothie? Sounds beautiful!
And let’s not forget about Jürgen Klopp, who apparently has a hand in building padel courts. For a guy who can strategize winning a football match, he’ll surely have ideas like making court lines with proper dimensions. "A little wider—a little wider," he shouts, as padel enthusiasts run to keep up.
The Back Pain Chronicles
In a canny twist, Haas admits golf is like a terrible relationship—great in theory, but ends up giving you back pain. It’s the one sport where you spend half the time bent over in agony thinking, "Is this really what I want from life?" No wonder he said he’s happier sticking to padel. There are fewer chances of pulling a muscle, unless you’re really getting into the spirit of it!
The Comparing Game
The interview takes a little pivot toward the younger Generation Z of tennis, particularly Alexander Zverev. “You can’t compare us,” says Haas. It’s like trying to compare vinyl records to streaming—one’s classy and enduring, while the other just keeps buffering. Zverev has a more athletic approach, while Haas reminisces of a time where tennis balls could serve as weapons of mass distraction!
But let’s not downplay Zverev’s talent. He is a big name in tennis, but if we’re being honest, so is Roger Federer. I mean, there hasn’t been an unflattering photo of that man since the day of his birth!
Life Beyond the Court
In the end, Tommy Haas is just living his best life, shuffling between luxury hotels and padel courts. Meanwhile, all the rest of us can do is watch, hoping to get into a game ourselves someday—maybe after we’ve achieved our padel-specific fitness goals.
So there you have it—a bright spark in the universe of sports! Padel may not have the legacy of its taller cousin, tennis, but it looks like it’s here to stay. And who knows? Maybe in a few years, we’ll all be raving about how we ‘slammed’ the competition in a heated match of padel—unless, of course, we fall back into a a lovely game of pickleball instead. Just as long as they don’t mistake it for a game of charades!
As the popularity of padel continues to surge, more prominent tennis players are embracing the sport, including the legendary Tommy Haas. In this candid interview, we explore his newfound passion and the exciting developments in the United States regarding padel.
Interview: Dietmar Gessner
The scheduled meeting with Tommy Haas, age 46, unfolds at 10 a.m. in Vienna, specifically in the opulent lobby of the Rosewood Vienna, a luxury hotel just a short stroll from the iconic St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Haas, who once ranked number two globally in 2002, arrives promptly at 9:54 a.m., radiating positivity and vitality. His athletic appearance suggests he could have triumphed in one of his 15 ATP tour titles just yesterday. Dressed in an Indian Wells T-shirt and carrying a tennis bag, Haas has been the tournament director for the prestigious BNP Paribas Open since 2016. After our interview, he kindly requests a hotel staff member to arrange his car in front of the hotel; he has a 200-kilometer drive ahead to Graz to visit his beloved 94-year-old grandmother. “You just have to take this time,” he remarks, emphasizing the importance of family.
Mr. Haas, your travel schedule this week has included Mallorca, Stuttgart, Vienna, and Graz. With your increasing involvement in padel, both professionally and personally, what draws you to the sport?
<p“I have an immense belief in the power of sport,” Haas shares. “Playing padel is incredibly joyous and engaging. Additionally, I’ve taken on the role of franchisee for the San Diego Stingrays, one of the pioneering teams in the newly established American professional padel league, known as the 'Pro Padel League.' I was fortunate to be offered this opportunity by some passionate individuals committed to promoting padel, dedicating their efforts to this endeavor. We're also seeing a bit of friendly competition with pickleball.”
With pickleball experiencing a meteoric rise in popularity across the United States, how do you feel about it?
<p“I don't personally participate in pickleball; the sound it produces is unappealing to me. Even if I were to choose a racquet sport, I'd prefer table tennis over pickleball. Don’t get me wrong, pickleball’s popularity is important, and it encourages many to be more active—especially beneficial for older individuals looking to stay fit. But from a competitive viewpoint, padel is on an entirely different level, both in terms of play and the way it translates on television.”
As the tournament director of the Masters event in Indian Wells, where pickleball has also been featured, do you envision the possibility of incorporating padel events into next year’s tournament week?
<p“For me, seeing pickleball being played on those esteemed tennis courts was disheartening. Our aim is for the Indian Wells tournament to remain a bastion of pure tennis; that’s our core philosophy and it resonates well with our audience. Padel is steadily making strides closer to tennis with more tournaments and clubs emerging. Living primarily in Los Angeles, I have observed that around ten friends have already installed private padel courts. I’ve dedicated my life to tennis since the age of three or four, and I intend to continue that passion until my final days, but the competition in tennis at a high level becomes tricky. Padel offers a more accessible avenue.”
Could this trend be a driving force behind the growing number of tennis clubs adding padel courts?
<p“I am certain this is the way forward. I’m actively involved in expanding the Surf and Racquet Club in Sarasota, Florida, which I frequently visit. Our vision includes transforming the club into a comprehensive hub for various sports and recreation.”
This approach seems aligned with the Mallorca Country Club, where Angelique Kerber once prepared for her Wimbledon victory in 2018.
<p“Precisely. I visited there recently, and found it buzzing with activity. An ATP tournament is currently being held on grass courts, but besides that, there are sand courts, padel courts, quality dining, fitness facilities, and more. It’s become a vibrant meeting place for various activities, socializing, and enjoying leisure time. Jürgen Klopp is a passionate supporter of padel and is a club member, with his son taking an active role in developing padel courts at the facility. In Spain, padel has outgrown tennis in many circles, with stars like Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz participating regularly. Jannik Sinner, currently ranked number one in the ATP, also enjoys a game of padel from time to time. The growing involvement of elite players in padel is likely to bring about even more collaboration in the future.”
Have you had the chance to share the padel court with your good friend Roger Federer?
<p“Roger is an avid padel player, especially in Dubai. We’ve discussed the possibility of playing together, as padel is gaining traction there with numerous luxury hotels and venues introducing it. I’m also heavily involved in advancing padel in Germany as part of the ‘Padel City’ initiative.”
Is your involvement in padel more of a passion project or a professional endeavor for you?
<p“Honestly, I live my life the way I enjoy it, splitting my time between Los Angeles, Florida, and Bavaria during the summer. Padel seamlessly fits into my lifestyle without any pressure. There’s no strict divide between my personal and professional experiences—it's all about enjoyment. It’s invigorating, and I always feel better after a game. Golf, on the other hand, brings me a little discomfort instead of relief.”
What do you mean by discomfort?
<p“My back feels the strain and those rotational movements are still a bit unfamiliar to me. I can’t push myself as much as I would like either.”
Returning to tennis: you always pushed yourself beyond limits. Following numerous injuries, you found it challenging to retire even at 39. In contrast, Dominic Thiem has chosen to retire at just 31. What’s your perspective on this?
<p“I feel like I lost about five valuable years to injuries, and even at 39, I wasn’t ready to let go. I jokingly suggested to Dominic: ‘Is there any way I can help you change your mind about quitting?’ He was an exceptional player with a remarkable career. I vividly remember his victory with me against Roger Federer in Indian Wells. His one-handed backhand was a beautiful shot, which is unfortunately becoming rare. Every player must chart their own course; I believe Dominic has thoughtfully considered his decision.”
Thiem secured the US Open title in 2020, defeating Alexander Zverev, who continues to pursue a Grand Slam triumph. Let’s dive into the connection between you and Zverev.
You both held the title of Germany’s top player, with you achieving number two in the world without a Grand Slam win. Do you think Zverev can break through and win one?
<p“I argue that the circumstances surrounding Alexander and me differ significantly. My era had vastly different conditions—it sometimes felt like playing on ice.”
On ice?
<p“Indeed, the balls frequently felt excessively fast. Today’s playing conditions are altered, with slower surfaces and remarkable advancements in technology. The players of today exhibit impressive athleticism, stature, and reach, making it unjust to directly compare our experiences.”
Even so, let’s give it a shot. You’ve captured 15 tournaments by triumphing over five players who were or had been ranked as world number ones: Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick, Pete Sampras, and Jim Courier. Zverev, with 22 tournament victories, has bested three current world number ones: Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Daniil Medvedev. Isn’t that a valid comparison?
<p“That comparison falls short. Alexander Zverev has accomplished much more in his tennis career than I ever did. He is a significant figure in tennis, without question. His physical capabilities are extraordinary, and he boasts impressive mental resilience. However, he faces fierce competition, as there are merely three or four players who can defeat him when they’re all playing at their peak. Carlos Alcaraz captivates me as a player—I find his style incredibly engaging. Sometimes he loses opportunities due to the abundance of options available to him.”
Relaxed talk: tennis MAGAZIN employee Dietmar Gessner met Tommy Haas on the sidelines of the ATP tournament in Vienna.
Vita Tommy Haas
The Hamburg-born tennis icon, now 46, boasts an impressive record of 15 ATP singles titles and reached the number two ranking in the world, alongside winning a silver medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. At just 11, he relocated to Florida to train at Nick Bollettieri’s renowned academy. After a professional journey that concluded in 2017, he instantly took on the role of the tournament director for the Masters 1000 in Indian Wells. In 2023, he stepped into the world of padel by acquiring the San Diego Stingrays in the US Pro Padel League. Residing primarily in Los Angeles, Haas continues to embrace sports and business opportunities alike.
King number one in the world, such as Pete Sampras and Lleyton Hewitt. Do you think Zverev has the ability to replicate such achievements?**
“Absolutely. Alexander has immense talent and the physical attributes necessary to dominate the game. He has already reached the latter stages of major tournaments, which speaks to his potential. What he seems to need now is perhaps a little more consistency and mental fortitude during those crucial moments. The talent is there; it just requires time, experience, and the right mindset to seize the opportunities when they arise,” Haas explains passionately.
What do you see as the key differences between your playing style and that of Zverev?
“Every player has their unique strengths. I was known for my agility and shot-making ability, particularly with my one-handed backhand. Alexander’s game is more base-line oriented, utilizing his powerful serve and exceptional reach. The modern game demands a blend of power, accuracy, and strategic play, and I think Zverev is on the right path to mastering this balance,” Haas emphasizes.
looking ahead, what are your aspirations for the future of padel and its integration into the broader sports culture, particularly in the US?
“My vision is for padel to gain the same recognition and respect as tennis. I believe that with the right investments and enthusiasm from players and clubs alike, we can establish a robust professional framework that attracts both players and fans. We genuinely hope to see padel treated with the prestige it deserves and incorporated into the conversation alongside other major sports. The growth over the past few years has been exhilarating, and I can’t wait to see where it leads,” Haas concludes with a look of excitement and hope in his eyes.
As the sun starts to peek through the clouds reminiscent of a promising day, one can’t help but feel the same thrilling anticipation for padel that Tommy Haas embodies in both his words and his passion.
