German Olympic tennis exile Tommy Haas confessed that his failure to be appointed to the national team as a wild card still stings.
“When I watch the Olympics, I’m still surprised I’m not there,” said the one-time world number two and medal-winner 12 years ago in Sydney.
“The German Olympic committee didn’t nominate me, which was a big mistake in my eyes. That’s life. That happens. I’m happy to play the same week while the Olympics are going on.”
The German federation had ruled that any player not ranked at least 24th could not have a spot on the Olympic squad.
“I was fit and ready to go,” said Haas, who did not play the 2008 Beijing Games due to injury. “I think it’s a special occasion, it’s at Wimbledon,” Haas said of the current Games competition on grass. “I was very disappointed not to be part of it but you forget about it now and try to worry about playing in the tournament.”
Keywords: 2012 London Olympics