flipfanatic
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Philippoussis won't retire even if he's in a wheelchair
Philippoussis won't retire even if he's in a wheelchair
Article from: The Daily Telegraph
By Leo Schlink
January 05, 2008 12:00am
MARK Philippoussis may have to spend part of his recovery from knee surgery in a wheelchair, but the grand slam finalist has confirmed he has no plans to retire.
The former world No. 8 is yet to undergo surgery on his right knee after tearing cartilage during the Australian Open wildcard play-off at Melbourne Park last month.
The dual Davis Cup winner has told supporters he wants to play again despite a fifth bout of knee surgery.
"Mark has been told he'll have to stay off the leg for a couple of months after the operation," Australian Open assistant tournament director Peter Johnston said. "It's a serious operation but he's keen to get the knee totally fixed.
"He wants to get back and play again and he's prepared for short-term pain to make long-term gain.
"He's yet to have the operation."
Philippoussis has been cursed by knee problems for much of his career. His latest setback came just when it appeared he had regrouped physically after tearing cartilage in his right knee at the Hopman Cup last year.
If protecting the joint post-surgery means spending time in a wheelchair, as he did for three months in 2001, Philippoussis will do it.
Philippoussis then famously worked on his groundstrokes while wheelchair-bound, eventually rebuilding enough strength and movement to contest the 2003 Wimbledon final against Roger Federer.
Plans for the latest operation include a trans-continental collaboration between Sydney surgeon Merv Cross and Miami's Harlan Selsenick.
Philippoussis will have a protected ranking of around 120th in the world if, and when, he resumes.
The ranking can be used for a limited number of tournaments over a six-month period.
The Wimbledon and US Open runner-up aggravated the knee during a fiesty Melbourne Park encounter with Open junior champion Brydan Klein.
He then further damaged the joint against Sam Groth. MRI scans revealed significant damage.
Philippoussis's intention to play again demonstrates his resolve to return to the circuit has not waned in the three weeks since his latest setback.
"I am bitterly disappointed because I really wanted to play in Australia this summer," Philippoussis said at the time.
"They tell me it can be fixed. My initial reaction is I want to get the surgery done and then work on getting back on the court as soon as I can."
I Hope Mark's fighting spirit brings Mark back stronger than ever if this is what he truely wants and there is no more pain in the future. Mark certainly has the mental strength to do it again ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Val
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"Nothing in life is easy. You have to fight. It is just another set back... One thing I know is that I’m going to take care of it and go again. It’s the only thing that I can do. It’s the only thing I want to do. " - Mark
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5/Jan/08, 0:25
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