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would be the sport for his son. In January of 1991 he decided to take Tommy to Nick Bolletteri Tennis Academy. Here Tommy was able to hit on courts with Nick, and later he would have a chance to see the likes of Andrea Agassi, Pete Sampras, and many others practicing on the same courts. He began to realize that he had a real opportunity to groom himself to be a future champion. That is when the hard work began. His older days and the results Eight years later Tommy had done a lot of growing up mentally, and has matured a great deal in his game. The hard work that he put in is now starting to pay off. Tommy has shown that he has the potential to shine through, and the game to take him to the top. At the 1998 Wimbledon, Tommy was faced with playing one of his childhood idols Andre Agassi on centre court. This had always been a dream of Tommy's and he was able to rise to the occasion. He finished off Andre ina four set thriller. This showed that Tommy was mentally apt to handle the situation. Another situation where he was mentally able to stay tought was at the 1999 Australian Open. What really impressed a lot of people about Tommy's play was not only the fact that he was able to get to the semifinal, but how he was able to deal with the pressure of playing crowd and home favoriate Lleyton Hewitt in the second round. There he had to deal with teh practically having the whole crowd against him, and to add to it, this was his first appearance on centre court. "There were quite a lot of people out there cheering him on." Tommy continues about his second round encounter, "There were just a few German fans that were there to cheer me on. I did not know what to expect on how he plays, I knew that he had beat (Patrick) Rafter, and he got to the finals of another tournament, so I kenw that he had to be a good player, and he had to be playing well." He continues, "I was actually donen 4-6,2-4, a break, and I was really tired at that moment. All of a sudden, I don't know, I just started to focus really well, and block everything out and try to play my game- What really works for me. I guess it worked!" He says with satisfaction, A satisfaction that only the player can feel. Tommy has been able to improce his ranking to a career hing of number 18. With this new ranking he has become the new German King. "It was never a big thing in his mind to become number one in Germany"." Tommy relates. "my main goal was at one time to become a top 10 player, to win a grand slam. I think in one way it (being number 1 in Germany) makes you feel special. It feels good, but it was not really one of my main goals." Tommy has other dreams and he is indeed a different character. He relates to me that his wildest dream would be, to be a Pop Singer, and have the opportunity to perform in front of a crowd," maybe, ten thousand people or more." He continues lowering his voice "I think it is nice to go out there, to play (tennis) and have a lot of fun. I think it would be a bad thing to go out there one day, like on Court 10, hit an unbelievable backand- one that you may have never hit before, and there was only five people there to see it. That is a horrible feeling, and that would be ver disappointing. That is why I wound not mind going to perform in front of a lot of people. I don't know what I would like to go, or perform but I think it would be fun!" There are also other things that are on Tommy's list of fun. Going to the malls- even though he readily admits that he does little shopping--and also to the movies are on teh top of his list. "I like Automobile magazine I like to drive fast. " Tommy says looking down, "In Germany it is a good thing". Everything has began to fall in place for Tommy Haas. he has been able to see and feel what victory is like. Tommy, although doing much better, can still use a little more patience, and variety in his game. Adding those two simple factors he will be able to go straight to the top without any hinderance. NICK BOLLETTERI HAS NOW come into the office to remind Tommy not to Forget about their previously agreed upon gold encounter. It was to be at one o'clock. "So," I began to ask "another thing you like to do in your free time is golf?" Tommy looks at me with a sinister expression on his face and replies" I play gold sometimes, but I don't like golf. It is a little too boring for me." He finishes with a smile covering his entire face. Well, that's a wrap! Serena Williams Page Three