Haas may ask Becker to coach him

German Tommy Haas, ranked 21st in the world and seeking a new coach, said he was considering approaching German tennis legend Boris Becker about working with him.

"I need to find someone who understands me and who I respect," said Haas after posting a 6-4 7-5 first-round win over compatriot Christian Vinck at the Sybase Open on Tuesday.

"I've gotten along with Boris very well at Davis Cup. I really respect him and he knows a lot about the game. Maybe when I call him next week, I'll ask him to coach me," said Haas, the fourth seed here.

"He just got divorced so maybe he'll have more time," Haas said of the retired three-time Wimbledon champion. "But he does have children and probably doesn't want to travel full time with me and that's what I really want."

The 22-year-old Haas, who has gone through a string of coaches in his five-year pro career, including notable tutors Nick Bollettieri and Gavin Hopper, will work with Jennifer Capriati's former coach, Harold Solomon, at upcoming tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami.

"Harold has a family and doesn't want to travel full time so that's a problem," said Haas. "I also worked with Petr Korda in Florida a couple weeks ago and that went well, but he has a family, too."

Haas ended 2000 ranked 23rd and has gotten off to a good start this year. He picked up his second career singles title at Adelaide in January, won both of his matches in Germany's Davis Cup victory over Romania, and reached the semifinals last week in Memphis.

"Not having a coach is my only real problem right now," he said. "My game is fine. It seems like all the good coaches are taken by the top players."