Legg Mason Programme
Kerry Lynn Bohen
Whether as "Scud" or "Stud," Mark Philippoussis has attracted attention from his first day on the ATP Tour, knocking out opponents with his rocket serves and fans with his dark good looks. His looks earned him a spot in the People Magazine "Sexiest Man Alive" issue for 1998, and his racquet skills have earned him eight career singles titles and more than $4-million in prize money.
His game distinguished by 120+ MPH first serves, garnered an international audience when he was 18, in the third round of the 1995 U.S. Open against eventual champion Pete Sampras. Utilizing his full arsenal, the teenager extended the champion to four sets with the booming serves and formidable forehand that earned him the "Scud" moniker from fellow players.
Earlier that same year, he took Stefan Edberg to four sets at the Australian Open, and followed it up with a finals appearance in Scottsdale, where he defeated Vince Spadea, Andre Chesnokov, Jonas Bjorkman and Todd Martin before finally losing to Jim Courier. The preceding year he had reached the Wimbledon junior’s final and captured the junior doubles title with Ben Ellwood. As he launched his pro career, in 1994 at age 17, the constants were his powerful serve and the flock of female fans at practice sessions and matches.
Before that U. S. Open appearance in 1995, Philippoussis had already captured the imagination of his countrymen, and particularly of tennis observers—whispers of a rising star tend to travel quickly among aficionados, and from that moment the scrutiny is intense. Mark Philippoussis has not always been comfortable with that aspect of his professional life, but he loves tennis and feels most relaxed on court. Comparing his personality on- and off-court, he says, "Off the court I’m quite shy, very soft spoken. When I get on the court I feel like it’s a stage, where everyone comes and watches you play…I’m not shy at all, I do things to make people laugh, I’m very relaxed. Playing great points, seeing the crowd react, seeing people yell out your name, it’s a big buzz and I like to have fun out there."
Philippoussis, who has finished in the top-20 for three consecutive years, reached the spotlight with another match against Sampras this year, dumping the American in the first round of the French Open. With a 25-11 singles record on the year, including a victory in the Sybase Open in San Jose, a semifinal appearance at the Tennis Masters Series—Indian Wells, and his third straight quarterfinal appearance at Wimbledon, Philippoussis reached No. 12 in the ATP Champions Race. While he was forced to miss Australia’s Davis Cup semifinal tie against Brazil in July, he considers leading the team to its first Davis Cup title since 1986 with a victory over France a highlight of his 1999 season.
The son of a Greek father and an Italian mother, Philippoussis makes his home in Miami Beach, taking full advantage of the active lifestyle afforded by that city on the sea—including wake-boarding, one of his favorite sports outside of tennis. Something of an adrenaline junkie, he also loves snow boarding, sky diving and motorcross. What would he be if he didn’t play tennis? "I don’t know, maybe a motorbike rider. Definitely something active." Among his hobbies, not surprisingly, he has collecting motorbikes.
But Philippoussis, who is very close with his extended family, does take time from his hectic schedule for both family and charitable interests. His focus has been children with cancer (a disease which his father has fought) and homeless children. He credits the children with giving him a new perspective on life.