Mark Philippoussis has lashed the critics who condemned his withdrawal from the Colonial Classic final in January after yesterday succumbing to a neck injury in Stuttgart.

The US Open runner-up woke with a stiff neck and had five injections to treat the problem before taking to the court in the Masters Series, but retired after one game against Wayne Ferreira.

Describing the problem as similar to the affliction that led to his late withdrawal from Kooyong in January, when he was due to play Andrew Agassi in the final, Philippoussis blasted his detractors.

"The last time it happened was the Colonial Classic this year." Philippoussis said.

"I just woke up in the morning to play Andre – it happened."

"What pisses me off [is] you have people who don't believe you, that think I didn't want to play because I wanted to get ready for the Australian Open, which is extremely frustrating.

"I just hope now these people who made these comments can realise it happens."

"I never pulled out of a match intentionally."

"I've played lots of times with pain."

"But this, I can’t do anything out there. These things happen. They should know that. I hope now they can just think about what they’re saying before they say it."

Colonial tournament director Colin Stubs was left to deal with thousands of disgruntled spectators at Kooyong when Philippoussis withdrew three hours before the final.

Stubs invited Agassi to consider Pete Sampras's offer to play an exhibition final, only to have Agassi reject it.

He was then forced to turn to Richard Fromberg and Karim Alami, who played a set before rain drove players from the courts.

The fallout from the Philippoussis no-show was severe enough to prompt Stubs to declare in July the player would not be invited back.

Stubs yesterday would not comment on Philippoussis’s outburst.

For all his physical problems, Philippoussis yesterday sounded optimistic about a return to Davis Cup ranks next year, confirming an approach from incoming captain John Fitzgerald.

"Fitzy has actually talked to my dad," Philippoussis said. My dad said, ‘I’ve got nothing to do with that. You speak with Mark. I don’t want to say anything, have nothing to do with it. It’s best to speak with Mark’. There’s plenty of time. I’ll sit down and think about that."

Philippoussis also revealed his rift with Pat Rafter had healed.

"Myself and Pat, we’ve put everything behind us," the Victorian said.

"We’re talking really well. It’s like nothing ever happened, you know."

"We were going to practise once, but I couldn’t because my luggage didn’t get in.

"We joke all the time in the locker room. We’re always talking like nothing’s happened."

"But for the case of playing the Davis Cup final, I won’t be there, no."

"I sleep on my stomach and the hotel pillow is really soft," Philippoussis said.

"I just woke up with a stiff neck.

"It happens.

"I came here in the morning and saw the doctor, took two anaesthetics in my backside and three in my neck.

"My groundstrokes weren't too bad but I couldn't lift my head to serve."

Philippoussis described the problem as similar to the affliction that led to his late withdrawal from Kooyong in January, when he was due to play Andre Agassi in the final.

"The last time it happened was at the Colonial Classic this year," Philippoussis said.

"I woke up in the morning to play Andre in the final, it happened.

"What pisses me off [is] you have people who don't believe you - who think I didn't want to play because I wanted to get ready for the Australian Open - which is extremely frustrating.

"I just hope now these people who made these comments can realise it happens.

"I never pulled out of a match intentionally.

"I've played lots of times with pain."

Colonial tournament director Colin Stubs was left to deal with thousands of disgruntled spectators at Kooyong when Philippoussis withdrew three hours before the final.

Stubs invited Agassi to consider Pete Sampras's offer to play an exhibition final, only to have Agassi reject it.

He was then forced to turn to Richard Fromberg and Karim Alami, who played a set before rain drove players from the courts.

The fallout from the Philippoussis no-show was severe enough to prompt Stubs to declare the player would not be invited back.

Stubs would not comment yesterday on the latest incident.

On the bright side, Philippoussis was optimistic over a return to Davis Cup ranks next year, confirming an approach from incoming captain John Fitzgerald.