Herald Sun, Wed 10th Jan 2001.

Injured tennis ace Mark Philippoussis may not play for his country this year - because it is interfering with his solo career.

Coach Peter McNamara says playing Davis Cup is not on the Scud's list of priorities.

"In the long term it's his career that he has to look after," McNamara said yesterday.

"I don’t' think there's any question you have to look at your own individual career before team events."

Philippoussis, 24 who has been sidelined since knee surgery last month, will miss next week's Australian Open and will be unfit for Australia's first Davis Cup tie, against Ecuador in Perth in early Februray.

McNamara said the Scud hoped to be in action in about seven weeks - but not for Davis Cup.

"There are certain times when I think that he will play," said McNamara, who helped Australia clinch the 1986 cup.

"He's got a very open mind to it. But if it doesn't suit his schedule, and if it would take too much out of him, then I would advise him not to play."

NcNamara confirmed flashy cars were banned until the Scud claimed his first Grand Slam. "We have some sort of a deal," he said.

"He can buy a Volkswagen, but nothing more luxurious than that. You have to deserve things in life, and he knows that he's got a lot of hard work (to do)."

Philippoussis has not played Davis Cup since Australia's 1999 victory over France.

He has linked his Cup absences to a knee injury sustained at Wimbledon in 1999.

McNamara said all players, not only Philippoussis, had trouble fitting the Davis Cup into their hectic schedules.

But he hinted that clashes with Australia's top players, including Pat Rafter, had been a barrier to the Scud's Cup plans.

"The animosity is gone now and I want to keep it gone," McNamara said.