Roger Federer’s 2-6, 7-6 (8), 6-4 loss to Tommy Haas in Stuttgart was his first match since winning Miami, and just his second loss of the year.

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The 39-year-old Haas called the win one of his career highlights:

“...At the same time he’s a very close friend of mine, so it doesn't feel like such a celebration in that sense…" he said. "I was happy to be out there in front of a German crowd playing against a friend, an idol, a legend, the greatest ever. It’s fantastic."

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Federer and Haas are two of the elders of professional tennis, and have played each other 17 times. The Swiss was understandably frustrated, but happy for Haas:

Haas was born in 1978 when the original Star Wars was still showing in theaters. He rose to No. 2 in the world early in his career before injuries devastated much of his career. Meanwhile, 35-year-old Federer was busy building a legacy.

Haas and Federer have a lot in common off the court. Both fathers of young children, and their wives Mirka Federer and Sara Foster are friends.

“He’s got two young daughters, and I have a young daughter,” Haas told the New York Times in 2013. “We get along really well, and you sort of get into this sort of understanding like this could be a friendship for life. And it’s nice to have that. You don’t have that with many other players on tour."

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Federer's efforts to regain his footing on grass before Wimbledon have been spoiled (though he's entered in Halle), while Haas will look to keep lifting his ranking from No. 302.

Re-watch the match on Tennis Channel Plus, or subscribe today at BuyTCPlus.com:

Haas calls Federer
an idol, friend and
the greatest ever

Haas calls Federer an idol, friend and the greatest ever