Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

Tommy Haas remains optimistic about his chances of returning to tennis as a contender on the ATP even after losing in the first round in Vienna to Shanghai Masters finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Haas, making a return after yet another right shoulder surgery, put up a fight but was eliminated in the opening round 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-4.

The 37-year-old German wild card is taking his shoulder comeback one match at a time and already sees light at the end of the tunnel. “You cannot be happy when you lose, it’s never a good feeling. But I’m pleased that I’m still playing good tennis. I have a lot of work to do though.

“The shoulder needs to get better, there are a lot of thoughts going through my brain, but it is all heading in the right direction. I need to get more fit in the off season. Put some muscle on the shoulder.

“I’m looking forward to the next six or seven months of next season, when I will have protected ranking entries and can play a full schedule.”

The player who won Vienna in 2001 and 2013, said that rehabbing his shoulder yet again was no joy. “There are a lot of ups and downs, and a lot of hard work to do. But I’m looking forward to the challenge.

“I’m pain-free, but I’m missing 20 kph on my serve. I go full speed and see 175 kph. The extra speed can make the difference between getting a free point or holding serve. I need more speed, I don’t know if I will get it, but let’s see what happens.”

Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.