Federer: Haas defeat ‘not good enough’

Roger Federer has said that his surprise defeat to Tommy Haas in Stuttgart was “not good enough”. Federer was beaten 2-6 7-6(6) 6-4 in the second round of the tournament, where he reached the semifinals in 2016.

“Coming here and losing in the semis last year, now the opening round this year, it’s not what I was hoping to do. Especially on grass courts, close to home, in Germany, which has been a good hunting ground for me. It’s not good enough,” Federer told the ATP.

“If you don’t take your chances like I didn’t, leading a set and a break, you really only have yourself to blame at the end.”

RELATED: Hot shots – Haas gets tricksy against Federer

The result was a blow to the world No.5, who missed the clay season to prepare for the grass swing. The defeat to Haas was Federer’s first opening-match defeat on grass since 2002, and the world No.302 is the lowest-ranked player to beat the Swiss star since Bjorn Phau in 1999 (then ranked No.407).

Despite the defeat, Federer was keen to find the positives in the performance.

“It gives me more time for Halle. As a positive thinker, that’s what I see,” the Swiss continued. “I’ve been on grass for over two weeks… It’s good to play a match again.

DID YOU SEE? Woodbridge – Dreaming of a dream Wimbledon final

“I really feel the body. It feels different right now than it does after practise. It just makes you tired. There are some positives to take away. It will give me good preparation going into Halle and then Wimbledon is soon.”

Federer will play in Halle next week, his final tournament before The Championships start on July 3rd.