flipfanatic
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Video clip of Mark practicisng in Adelaide and interview
Mark at practise and an interview
Mark 'Scud' Philippoussis does it for love
TOM ZED
January 10, 2009 12:30am
MARK Philippoussis has an eye on a return to Grand Slam tennis and Davis Cup duty for Australia - but he isn't putting too much pressure on himself.
The former world No.8, in Adelaide for next week's World Tennis Challenge at Memorial Drive, knows the road back to the top will be tough but doesn't feel the weight of expectations.
"I don't have to prove anything to anyone or myself," he said yesterday.
"I want to try to come back because I want to. I miss it, I love the game and it's as simple as that."
Unranked and still wearing heavy support on his right knee after a fifth bout of surgery on the troublesome joint, 32-year-old Philippoussis hit up with part-time coach Darren Cahill at the Drive yesterday.
The Scud hopes the WTC could be his first step on the path back to the ATP circuit.
"I've been looking forward to this tournament for a while," he said.
"It's a great concept. It's going to be a lot of fun. It's my first event for a year and a half and there's no expectations on me other than going out there and having fun.
"I'll be playing this event and I'm looking forward to playing the legends event at the Australian Open.
"From there I'll go on. As long as the body holds up each week and each event it gets stronger."
Critics have labelled the US Open and Wimbledon finalist's comeback improbable but Philippoussis believes he can return to world tennis's upper echelon.
"The hitting has never been a problem for me. It's the movement," Philippoussis said.
"The rhythm is there. I'm hitting the ball great. I'll just see how my body holds up."
Cahill said Philippoussis had the game to return to the world's top 10.
"The game has changed a little bit in the last four or five years but I still believe there's a lot of room for the type of player that Mark is - a guy that comes forward," he said.
"We don't see too many guys that play around the net anymore.
"If Mark is positive, his body holds up and his knees remain strong, and he brings his game then he's a tough guy for anyone to deal with.
"The great thing with Mark is he's still really eager and keen to get back on to the tennis court and try to get back to some of his best form."
Philippoussis is appearing for free at the World Tennis Challenge which starts at Memorial Drive on Wednesday night.
The Scud and 1987 Wimbledon champion Pat Cash will take on past and present players from the U.S., Sweden and France, including rising star Gael Monfils, who beat world No.1 Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals of the Qatar Open yesterday.
Val
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“It’s in my heart to give it one more go” - Mark
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10/Jan/09, 7:28
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swedesrule
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Re: Video clip of Mark practicisng in Adelaide and interview
awwww that was so great!!! I'm getting so excited!!!!
I particularly loved all the great stuff darren cahill had to say about mark  im not used to hearing positive quotes like that!
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10/Jan/09, 10:10
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0angel
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Re: Video clip of Mark practicisng in Adelaide and interview
thanks so much for the video, val! i'm so excited too, christina. they've finally taken mark's name out from the taste of tennis player list.
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12/Jan/09, 13:11
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Clair21
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Re: Video clip of Mark practicisng in Adelaide and interview
Thanks Val, Mark looks good. Looking forward to seeing him on TV, it has been so long. Which ever ways it goes i'm sure i'll enjoy it.
xoxo
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"It's a long way to talk about something like that but, in my heart, for myself, I do believe." - Mark
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13/Jan/09, 13:02
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