The world waited with bated breath when Roger Federer took the grass court for the first time in 352 days, being up against his old friend Tommy Haas. After a 10 week long absence from the tour, Federer returned to Stuttgart fairly rejuvenated and raring to conquer his favourite surface, but reality struck him when Tommy Haas romped to a 2-6, 7-6, 6-4 win against Federer.
Federer’s chosen hiatus from the game was supposed to make him ready for the 2nd half of the season, but what it has essentially done is that it has made him devoid of some much needed much practice, something that was very evident from his rustiness in the first set.
Federer still managed to take the first set, but it was evident from his ground strokes that the second set would be a tight affair. Haas took the second set in a tough tie break and then was able to wrap up the match in a fairly one sided decider.
Haas would take great heart from this win and Federer would love the fact that the loss cam this early to him, as he would now be able to work on his game a little more to sort out his grass court game.
This is how Twitter reacted to Federer’s loss:
Just for the confirmations, when I talked about the epic second half to the season, I meant after Stuttgart
— Not Roger Federer (@PseudoFed) June 14, 2017
Federer in 2017:
7-0 vs Top-10 players
11-0 vs Top-20 players
15-0 vs Top-50 players
17-0 vs Top-115 players
2-2 vs players outside Top-115— Oleg S. (@AnnaK_4ever) June 14, 2017
Federer with 83% first serves in. He probably won't lose any set with that stat… ever.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) June 14, 2017
So Federer had match points in every match he played this season.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) June 14, 2017
After loss to Haas, Roger Federer is 19-2 in 2017. In both losses, he:
–had a match point
–won more points
–won higher % of return points— Carl Bialik (@CarlBialik) June 14, 2017
Haas a better player than ranking of 302.. but that's Federer's worst defeat by ranking since losing to No 407 Bjorn Phau at Washington 1999
— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) June 14, 2017
Federer be like
Credits- Felix pic.twitter.com/YWLxYNPGsj— Troll Tennis (@TrollTennis) June 14, 2017
More reactions on the next page:
What a terrifically cool moment for Tommy Haas, 39 years young.
Federer is not exactly devastated. He knows this is great for his buddy.
— Matt Zemek (@mzemek) June 14, 2017
After three months off, Roger Federer returns with short hair and a short run in Stuttgart, losing his first match to 39-y.o.(!) Tommy Haas.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) June 14, 2017
https://twitter.com/Tennis18MAD/status/875034244996837379
Federer lost 1st round, how does if effect seedings for Wimbledon?
— Michael Walker (@bjorn6) June 14, 2017
This is the first time Haas has beaten Federer in 5 years (since Halle 2012 final). #MercedesCup pic.twitter.com/9m56g6us4t
— Roger Federer Live (@FedererLive) June 14, 2017
Haas def. Federer pic.twitter.com/V6bROvTXtb
— gari (@gariseltin) June 14, 2017
