German tennis hunk Tommy Haas sidelined

This is a pity.

German tennis star Tommy Haas, once ranked as high as number two in the world, could be facing a long absence from the ATP Tour after undergoing surgery on his right hip.

Tommy had the surgery last Friday in Vail, Colo. and  said on his Web site Tuesday that he had no other alternative because “the pain was simply too great.”

Manager Lars Schriewer said he could not specify how long the 31-year-old might be out. Germany’s Bild daily reported that Haas could be sidelined for up to six months.

Tommy, a Wimbledon semifinalist in 2009, has won 12 career singles titles and was the silver medalist at the 2000 Summer Olympics. He was the top seed last week at the Delray Beach International Championships but was upset in the first round.

I’ve watched Tommy practice (he prefers to do so without a shirt!) and play matches many times at local tournaments in LA and Indian Wells. He has a gorgeous game and looks strong as an ox but he has actually had more injuries than any other top player. Hopefully he can come back from this one strongly.