Tommy Haas: Why Team Events Are Essential for Tennis
Tommy Haas, the tournament director of the prestigious Indian Wells tournament, has a wealth of experience in team competitions, having represented Germany in the Davis Cup and played for Gruen Weiss Mannheim in the Bundesliga. He believes that team events like the Laver Cup are essential for the sport, offering a unique blend of camaraderie, pressure, and prestige.
Haas emphasizes that team events differ significantly from individual tournaments. In team competitions, players feel a sense of responsibility to contribute to their team’s success, which creates a different kind of pressure. “You might want to win more because you rarely experience it,” Haas explains. “That’s why it makes it all the more special.”
The Laver Cup, in particular, holds a special place in Haas’s heart. He describes it as a “super, super great event” that brings together top-class players from Team Europe and Team World. The tournament not only offers prize money and a trophy but also a sense of prestige for the participants.
Haas believes that team events are not only beneficial for players but also for fans. Spectators get to witness a variety of matches featuring top players throughout the day, including doubles action. The Indian Wells tournament, for example, has hosted exhibition tournaments and invitation-only mixed competitions featuring renowned tennis stars.
Haas concludes by highlighting the importance of team spirit in team events. “It makes it more special to get points for a team,” he says. “That’s why you have more fun out there and try not to let your team down.”