Game, Set, it May be a Match...
By LUKE DENNEHY
January 17, 2004
"THEY have been inseparable all week" and yesterday Delta Goodrem and
Mark Philippoussis went public with their special friendship.
The 19-year-old singer and the tennis star shared a quiet brunch of
pancakes and banana bread at Bondi.
They met up after Goodrem went to watch Philippoussis, 27, at the
adidas International on Tuesday. "It is nice to get out and get some
fresh air . . . even if it is raining," she said.
Goodrem appeared fresh faced and smiling, sporting a subtle set of
new clear braces.
Yesterday's meeting could turn into a budding romance.
Last year, Philippoussis sent Goodrem flowers when she was diagnosed
with hodgkin's disease, with a simple message to get well.
The pop star thanked him for the gesture, and was invited this week
to be part of his entourage.
Goodrem would have been at the tennis yesterday in Sydney supporting
Philippoussis, however that plan was thwarted after he lost to
Dutchman Martin Verkerk in two sets 6-4, 7-6. Instead yesterday, in
what was a miserable Sydney day, the smiling couple had brunch
together at a Bondi restaurant.
There was no comment from the Goodrem camp about yesterday's outing,
but a tennis source said the couple had looked inseparable at the
Sydney International Tennis Centre this week.
A source close to Goodrem said that at this stage they were just
good friends.
Goodrem went to the tennis at Philippoussis's invitation on Tuesday
with brother Trent and friend Lalitha Svendra.
It is believed Tennis Australia invited her to the Australian Tennis
Open in Melbourne next week.
It would be her first time back in Melbourne since returning home to
Sydney last year after she was diagnosed in July.
She is said to be very keen to return to Melbourne if she is well
enough, as she called it home while filming Neighbours. Goodrem has
finished treatment for cancer and will have tests shortly to
determine if she has won the fight.
A source said she was enjoying getting out more after spending
months at home during her treatment. Philippoussis has had a number
of high-profile love interests in the past, including glamour girl
Anna Kournikova and Hollywood actress Tara Reid.
Reid was at the US Open supporting Philippoussis last year, but no
more was heard of the romance.
As for Goodrem, she had a relationship with fellow Neighbours star
Blair McDonough that ended in November 2002.
Sydney Swans footballer Jude Bolton is a good friend but the two
have never been linked romantically.
Cricketer Brett Lee and UK popstar Craig David have previously both
been interested in the down-to-earth star.
High profile tennis couples are nothing new to the Australian Open
at Melbourne Park.
According to the rumour mill, popstar and actor Mandy Moore will
join her world No. 1 boyfriend Andy Roddick in Melbourne next week.
Goodrem is back at the top of the charts with Innocent Eyes and will
sell her 1 millionth copy in the next few days."
Photos