BY NEIL SCHMIDT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Mark Philippoussis makes a face after missing a shot.
(Ernest Coleman photo)
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MASON -- This time last year, Mark Philippoussis enjoyed a Great American Insurance ATP doubles final as cozy as a high school reunion. Teaming with fellow Australian Patrick Rafter, Philippoussis lost in three sets to countrymen Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde, but it was four fun-loving friends relishing each other's company.
That happy snapshot has since clouded over.
After an odyssey involving his unwillingness to play in a Davis Cup event, Philippoussis was blasted by Australian fans and teammates. His game suffered, and two months ago he said, "I'm just very confused at the moment . . . It's like I'm not hungry any more, and it's not a good feeling at all."
Trying to refocus his game, and his life, Philippoussis beat Zimbabwe's Byron Black 6-2, 6-3 Tuesday in the ATP's first round. After a breakthrough performance at Wimbledon, the 21-year-old Philippoussis hopes to put the Davis Cup debacle behind him with a charge at the Top 10.
"I feel much better than in June," he said. "I've got a long way to go, but I'm ready to go at this with a new attitude. The ranking will take care of itself."
Ironically, Black should have been an opponent earlier this year in the ill-fated Davis Cup tie. Philippoussis announced he would skip the early rounds of the Davis Cup, explaining the problem was a feud with captain John Newcombe, who wouldn't let Australian coach Tony Roche travel with Philippoussis to tournaments in Europe last fall. That was a difficult time for Philippoussis, whose father was battling cancer.
When illnesses further weakened the Aussie squad, and brothers Byron and Wayne Black led Zimbabwe to a stunning 3-2 upset on Australian soil, Philippoussis' absence looked worse. Rafter stopped playing doubles with him, Woodbridge and Woodforde gave him a cold shoulder, and a columnist dubbed him "Silippoussis."
A one-time can't-miss prospect who cracked the Top 30 and beat Pete Sampras in 1996, Philippoussis got stuck in neutral. He saw Rafter win the U.S. Open and leap-frog him in the rankings, while Woodforde, Woodbridge and fellow Aussie Jason Stoltenberg all reached Grand Slam semifinals.
Philippoussis' ranked dropped this spring from a career-best 13th to 28th.
"A lot of that had to do with my schedule," he said. "I played way too many tournaments. When you're fresher, you're hungrier."
Philippoussis reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon -- his best showing in a Grand Slam -- and the round of 16 last week in Toronto. He's ranked 22nd with a bullet.
And what of the Davis Cup flap?
"I do what I have to do, as a person and a tennis player," Philippoussis said. "Fixing that (situation) will become my priority at the end of the year.
"I've been on the tour four years, but it feels much longer. I'm definitely starting to mature out here."
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