E-Paper
Wimbledon finals effort sends "Scud" soaring
Mark Philippoussis, who matched his best Grand Slam showing with a run to the Wimbledon finals, began the US Open with greater confidence that he can finally capture a Slam crown.
Mark Philippoussis, who matched his best Grand Slam showing with a run to the Wimbledon finals, began the US Open with greater confidence that he can finally capture a Slam crown.
The 26-year-old Australian, nicknamed "Scud" for his missile-like serves, beat 149th-ranked Serbian qualifier Janko Tipsarevic 6-2, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 here Wednesday in his first-round match in the year's final Grand Slam event.
Philippoussis lost the Wimbledon final to Swiss Roger Federer and his only other Slam final here in 1998 to Pat Rafter. But this time, a stronger sense of purpose has come with the success.
"I would say mentally I feel a lot stronger, tougher," Philippoussis said. "Maybe it has made me more professional. It made me step up and realize I have to be ready for the expectations. I'm ready to try to back myself up.
"The difference is now I'm ready for it, whereas before I don't think I was mature enough to accept all those responsibilities."
The high-velocity hitter won on the same court where he injured his left knee last year making a tricky shot in a first-round match and pulled out.
"I knew they were going to put me on that court again," Philippoussis said. "If I had that same shot, I would try the same thing."
Philippoussis said he has no doubts his knee can last through seven matches on the Flushing Meadows hardcourts should he make another run to the title match. He also said Wimbledon is a tougher test on knees than fans realize.
"Actually it's very hard on the body," he said. "It's not that same pounding you get on hardcourt but because you are serve and volleying constantly, always coming to the net, having to bend and stretch, it has more of an impact."
Philippoussis, who could have a chance to avenge his Wimbledon loss against Federer in the fourth round, has fought back after three surgeries to stay among the game's elite. But he pondered quitting after being hurt here in 2002.
"More than anything because it was so big being in the wheelchair," he said. "It's impossible not to have some negative thoughts running through your mind when you're sitting in the wheelchair.
"You have some negative thoughts and you do have your doubts, but I pushed them out of my mind pretty quickly."
