Haas falters in highly anticipated Aussie Open return

On Tuesday, Tommy Haas' long awaited return to competition ended on a sour note, but Australian Open fans were thrilled to get any glimpse they could of the 38-year-old. Haas would end up retiring while down 7-6 (8), 6-4 to Benoit Paire.

The silver lining is that Haas, a former world No. 2, wasn't hindered by a foot injury that forced him out for well over a year, or shoulder trouble that has sidelined him in the past (the German has undergone nine surgeries during his career, missing approximately four years of competition).

"I felt like physically I was empty. I didn't have anything left in the tank, to be quite honest," he said in Melbourne. "I don't think I've ever experienced it that way before in my career playing any matches. And it didn't feel good. You know, I just felt shortness of breath. Couldn't really focus."

Haas has said the 2017 season is his last one, making this match, as the oldest man in the draw, his final Australian Open appearance. The German enjoyed his first major breakthrough on Melbourne Park's courts on his way to the semifinals back in 1999 as a sprightly 21-year-old.

He has actually done better in Melbourne than at any other Slam, reaching the semifinals three times. The last time was back in 2007 when he famously gave himself an emphatic pep talk during his comeback win over Nikolay Davydenko in the quarterfinals.

Haas is scheduled to appear next in Delray Beach, but said he is considering playing Memphis the week prior (which starts on February 13). He has been named the Indian Wells tournament director where won't be eligible to compete.