Haas calls Federer an idol, friend and the greatest ever

Roger Federer’s 2-6, 7-6 (8), 6-4 loss to Tommy Haas in Stuttgart was his first match since winning Miami, and just his second loss of the year.

The 39-year-old Haas called the win one of his career highlights:

“...At the same time he’s a very close friend of mine, so it doesn't feel like such a celebration in that sense…" he said. "I was happy to be out there in front of a German crowd playing against a friend, an idol, a legend, the greatest ever. It’s fantastic."

Federer and Haas are two of the elders of professional tennis, and have played each other 17 times. The Swiss was understandably frustrated, but happy for Haas:

Haas was born in 1978 when the original Star Wars was still showing in theaters. He rose to No. 2 in the world early in his career before injuries devastated much of his career. Meanwhile, 35-year-old Federer was busy building a legacy.

Haas and Federer have a lot in common off the court. Both fathers of young children, and their wives Mirka Federer and Sara Foster are friends.

“He’s got two young daughters, and I have a young daughter,” Haas told the New York Times in 2013. “We get along really well, and you sort of get into this sort of understanding like this could be a friendship for life. And it’s nice to have that. You don’t have that with many other players on tour."

Federer's efforts to regain his footing on grass before Wimbledon have been spoiled (though he's entered in Halle), while Haas will look to keep lifting his ranking from No. 302.

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