28jan04
DINNERS at flash restaurants and courtside seats at the Oz Open are one thing.
But turning up for a boring training session at Albert Reserve on St Kilda Rd is true dedication . . . perhaps even true love.
There's no doubt the friendship between tennis ace Mark Philippoussis and pop princess Delta Goodrem is blossoming.
First they were seen dining together in Sydney, then she shows up courtside to cheer him on in Melbourne.
When the Scud bowed out on Monday, Delta was there to support him � and looked almost as devastated as he was when he lost to unseeded Moroccan Hicham Arazi (a mate of Eye favourite Younes El Aynaoui).
She had to be comforted by good friend Molly Meldrum in the stands.
It's one thing to watch the action at Rod Laver Arena, and quite another to turn up to a suburban training session, as she did on Sunday.
Onlookers said the singer appeared a little bored, but was kind enough to sign a couple of autographs on her way out.
Goodrem looked lovely in a pale pink shirt, denim jacket and long pink scarf, clutching a stylish Louis Vuitton handbag.
Long distance
NOW that the Australian Open is over for Philippoussis, where will they pop up next?
Goodrem flew home to Sydney yesterday, but The Eye believes the two are in close regular contact and a blossoming romance is not out of the question.
It would, however, be a long distance relationship, with the Poo travelling the world chasing tennis trophies.
But once Delta finishes her cancer treatment she'll be back on the international circuit chasing music trophies . . . and somewhere in between they should be able to get together.
With Delta, Sir Cliff Richard, Sophie Monk and a host of others, the tennis has been a popular event for celebrities this year.
Yesterday Marcus Graham, Mick Malthouse and Catherine McClements were all there.