Matt 1How will the Scud be remembered?
December 21st 2007 01:44
One of Australia's most maligned - sometimes unfairly, sometimes fairly - sportspersons in recent times is on the brink of retirement. Mark "the Scud" Philippoussis' knee injury at the weekend, which will require immediate surgery and extended time off the court, could signal the end of his rollercoaster career. The two-time Grand Slam runner-up was once ranked as high as number 8 in the world, yet it was his Davis Cup inconsistencies and off-court interest in girls and fast cars that skews the view on "the Poo". This begs the question, how should he be remembered?
No-one can possibly doubt the Scud's natural talent with racquet in hand. The 6ft5 Victorian powerhouse burst onto the scene in 1996, aged 20, following a stunning upset of world number 1 and legend of the game Pete Sampras, at the Australian Open. Two years later, he reached his first Grand Slam final at the US Open against countryman Pat Rafter. And, while Philippoussis would eventually lose to Rafter, his quick rise was capped off with entry into the world's Top 10 at the beginning of 1999.
Injuries have always plagued the Scud's career. Having taken the first set off Sampras at Wimbledon 1999, he suffered a cartilage tear in his left knee, which basically ended his season. He had further knee complications throughout much of 2002, forcing him out of tennis and most notably Davis Cup until the following year.
It was while playing Davis Cup that Philippoussis truly divided Australians. Though regularly feuding with Australian coach, Tony Roche and captain, John Newcombe, Philippoussis almost single-handedly delivered the country their 27th Davis Cup in 1999. The right-hander with the powerful serve blasted Frenchman Cedric Pioline off the court in an awesome yet courageous display, in front of a raucous French crowd. He was the toast of the town after that performance, particularly after Lleyton Hewitt froze in the final and an injury to top player, Rafter.
Yet between 2000 and 2002, late withdrawals due to injury and a perceived lack of interest upset team balance, caused a rift again with the coach and captain and this time forced players such as Rafter and doubles specialist Todd Woodbridge to speak out against him. The Australian media jumped on Phillipoussis and his lavish private life, painting him in some ways as 'un-Australian', particularly as he remained based in the US and had started developing a bit of an American accent. They criticised him for every injury and every withdrawal from a Davis Cup tie during this period. However, Mark got the last true laugh of his career following a 2003 comeback - recognised by the ATP with the "Comeback of the Year Award". Following a return to form in singles, Philippoussis overcame a pectoral tear in the second set to fight his way to a 5-set victory over Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero, handing Australia its second Davis Cup in 5 years. His image was again restored, albeit temporarily.
2004 and beyond will be remembered more for his relationships off the court than his tennis on it. Aussie songstress and public sweetheart Delta Goodrem - who penned the tune 'Out of the Blue' about Mark - was dumped for resident party-slut Paris Hilton. Goodrem, the good girl who improved Mark's public image made way for Hilton, the bad girl who did nothing but point to his mind being away from tennis. Model Alexis Barbara, former tennis player Anna Kournikova and actress Tara Reid are just some of the Scud's other off-court conquests. By 2006, tennis was as far away from the agenda as you could imagine, following a stint in reality television on Age of Love, where Philippoussis again, fooled around with women.
The American accent, bevy of beautiful and famous ex-girlfriends, garage of fast cars and reality television appearance are unfortunately what Philipoussis will be remembered for by many. Oh, and his injuries. Being injury-prone has undoubtedly hampered the Scud's potential. While 11 career titles is somewhat modest for an outstanding talent with an at times unplayable serve, his two Grand Slam runner-ups point to his true potential. Losing to Roger Federer in the final of Wimbledon 2003 is no blemish, with Federer having not lost a match there since.
Eventually the Scud should admit to the Australian public that really, he's had two careers: one an exciting and often successful tennis career between 1995 and 2003, where he peaked at number 8 in the world; and the other a scandalous, injury-riddled pursuit of women, luxury and a good surf from 2004 to today. If he doesn't admit this, the public will tend to remember the latter skirt-chasing "Poo", while I, on the other hand, would like to remember the former, title-chasing "Scud".
No-one can possibly doubt the Scud's natural talent with racquet in hand. The 6ft5 Victorian powerhouse burst onto the scene in 1996, aged 20, following a stunning upset of world number 1 and legend of the game Pete Sampras, at the Australian Open. Two years later, he reached his first Grand Slam final at the US Open against countryman Pat Rafter. And, while Philippoussis would eventually lose to Rafter, his quick rise was capped off with entry into the world's Top 10 at the beginning of 1999.
Injuries have always plagued the Scud's career. Having taken the first set off Sampras at Wimbledon 1999, he suffered a cartilage tear in his left knee, which basically ended his season. He had further knee complications throughout much of 2002, forcing him out of tennis and most notably Davis Cup until the following year.
It was while playing Davis Cup that Philippoussis truly divided Australians. Though regularly feuding with Australian coach, Tony Roche and captain, John Newcombe, Philippoussis almost single-handedly delivered the country their 27th Davis Cup in 1999. The right-hander with the powerful serve blasted Frenchman Cedric Pioline off the court in an awesome yet courageous display, in front of a raucous French crowd. He was the toast of the town after that performance, particularly after Lleyton Hewitt froze in the final and an injury to top player, Rafter.
Yet between 2000 and 2002, late withdrawals due to injury and a perceived lack of interest upset team balance, caused a rift again with the coach and captain and this time forced players such as Rafter and doubles specialist Todd Woodbridge to speak out against him. The Australian media jumped on Phillipoussis and his lavish private life, painting him in some ways as 'un-Australian', particularly as he remained based in the US and had started developing a bit of an American accent. They criticised him for every injury and every withdrawal from a Davis Cup tie during this period. However, Mark got the last true laugh of his career following a 2003 comeback - recognised by the ATP with the "Comeback of the Year Award". Following a return to form in singles, Philippoussis overcame a pectoral tear in the second set to fight his way to a 5-set victory over Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero, handing Australia its second Davis Cup in 5 years. His image was again restored, albeit temporarily.
2004 and beyond will be remembered more for his relationships off the court than his tennis on it. Aussie songstress and public sweetheart Delta Goodrem - who penned the tune 'Out of the Blue' about Mark - was dumped for resident party-slut Paris Hilton. Goodrem, the good girl who improved Mark's public image made way for Hilton, the bad girl who did nothing but point to his mind being away from tennis. Model Alexis Barbara, former tennis player Anna Kournikova and actress Tara Reid are just some of the Scud's other off-court conquests. By 2006, tennis was as far away from the agenda as you could imagine, following a stint in reality television on Age of Love, where Philippoussis again, fooled around with women.
The American accent, bevy of beautiful and famous ex-girlfriends, garage of fast cars and reality television appearance are unfortunately what Philipoussis will be remembered for by many. Oh, and his injuries. Being injury-prone has undoubtedly hampered the Scud's potential. While 11 career titles is somewhat modest for an outstanding talent with an at times unplayable serve, his two Grand Slam runner-ups point to his true potential. Losing to Roger Federer in the final of Wimbledon 2003 is no blemish, with Federer having not lost a match there since.
Eventually the Scud should admit to the Australian public that really, he's had two careers: one an exciting and often successful tennis career between 1995 and 2003, where he peaked at number 8 in the world; and the other a scandalous, injury-riddled pursuit of women, luxury and a good surf from 2004 to today. If he doesn't admit this, the public will tend to remember the latter skirt-chasing "Poo", while I, on the other hand, would like to remember the former, title-chasing "Scud".
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