By TERRY MADDAFORD
Tommy Haas has more to worry about than just being tipped out of his first tennis tournament of the millennium.
The Heineken Open top seed was upset by Spaniard Juan Balcells 6-4 7-5 in their second round, centre court, clash yesterday.
While the 'flu, which troubled him for a day or two after arriving in Auckland last week was not a problem, a sore left hip obviously was.
But, there were no excuses from the 21-year-old German who came into the tournament ranked No 11 in the world - well ahead of Balcells' 216.
"My hip is hurting a little," said the hugely-popular player who lost last year's final to Sjeng Schalken on his way to pocketing a healthy $US1.4 million in prize-money on tour.
"I had some problem in pushing off when serving. I first felt it in October and November.
"But that is no excuse. He deserved to win."
The race for Haas now is to get back to full fitness before next week's Australian Open.
"I like to be 100 per cent for any match I play," Haas said. "There is nothing much of my game I have to work on - just getting ready for the Open."
And, unlike big-serving Goran Ivanisevic who "did a runner" after he lost in the first round, Haas fronted for his post-match press conference before being swamped by a horde of fans who waited patiently for their fallen hero.
Tennis: Worries piling on top of Haas
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