Stuttgart, November 6, 2014
Four months after surgery at his right shoulder in New York, German tennis star Tommy Haas is looking again optimistic into the future. “According to the doctors, the healing process is proceeding according to plan. Of course, sometimes it’s hard to remain patient. I will do my utmost to return once again to the tour, but I cannot rush and under no circumstances I want to start with hitting balls too early,” the 15-times ATP tournament winner said in Stuttgart on Thursday along with Mercedes Cup tournament director Edwin Weindorfer, who inaugurated the new centre court at the TC Weissenhof. Haas hit a couple of balls with his left to protect the right arm. With this symbolic act the organizers demonstrated that they are on track with the preparations for the first Mercedes Cup on grass taking place from 6 to 14 June 2015.
Tommy Haas on grass at Stuttgart’s new centre court (photo: GES-Sportfoto/Markus Gilliar)
“When I see the grass courts here, I really get a Wimbledon feeling. It’s great, what was done in Stuttgart with the transition from clay to grass. Playing here next year, is an additional motivation for me to create a comeback once again. I’ve worked very hard the past few weeks to get fit again,” Haas added and also wanted to send a message to the German Fed Cup Team, who will play the final against the Czech Republic in Prague next weekend. “A success would be a great thing for German tennis. I will follow the final and wish our ladies the best of luck,” Haas said.
The first edition of the Mercedes Cup on grass will come along with some changes on the ATP Tour calendar in 2015. The tournament will take place one month earlier than the years before and will be an important part of the preparation for the Grand Slam tournament in Wimbledon. “I want to thank the All England Lawn Tennis Club very much for the excellent support on our way to a grass tournament. We enjoy this great partnership and all the advice and help we received,” Weindorfer said. With s’Hertogenbosch, in 2015, it will be the first time that the Mercedes Cup will compete with only one more tournament in the same week. During the last editions, Stuttgart was in competition with up to three other events. The increase in prize money from 485.760 euros to 618.000 euros will make the tournament even more attractive. In addition, a car from Mercedes-Benz will also be at stake for the finalists.
