Melbourne, quarterfinal, 2007.

It’s midday heat, the crowd is sweating – and Tommy Haas is talking. Not to the umpire. Not to his opponent. But to himself.

He rants, curses and motivates. All at once. “So kannst du nicht gewinnen, Haasi” he says – to himself. “Du bist ein Vollidiot.” Also to himself.

It was one of those moments when tennis says more about people than about sport. When a tennis court turned into a therapy session.

Somewhere between self-criticism and self-motivation, betweenfrustration and humor, the essence of the game becomes clear: Don’t give up. Master yourself. And then enjoy the win.

The monologue of Tommy Haas. One of the most honest and entertaining moments in Grand Slam history.