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**pE71J5Sw** · 12-01-2008, 02:19 AM

Mark Philippoussis ruled out of 2009 Australian Open
November 30, 2008 12:50pm

MARK Philippoussis has ruled himself out of the Australian Open, but has not thrown away his tennis racquet just yet.

Philippoussis, 32, said it was "unrealistic" to compete at the first grand slam of 2009.

"I can't expect the first couple of tournaments coming back to be best-of-five-set tournaments," he said. "I'd be crazy to think that."

The former world No. 8, who is living in Melbourne, has not played on the regular tour since 2006 because of recurring knee injuries.

He is focused on getting fitter and hopes to lose about 10kg.

"I've lost like four kilos in the past month," Philippoussis said.

"I'm a big boy. I'm probably around 100kg.

"I'd love to get down to 90kg. Probably the last time I was 90, maybe I was 18 years old.

"For me to have a chance of getting back out there I need to be as light as possible."

Philippoussis said he hoped to get back to where he once was.

"My heart would like to give it one more go," he said.

"Whether that's realistic, whether my body is going to allow that I will have to wait and see."

Fellow Australian Peter Luczak has overcome a stress fracture in his pelvis and will play at the Australian Open wildcard playoffs, which start on December 15.

http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/stor...005401,00.html

12-01-2008, 02:19 AM	#12
pE71J5Sw Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 433 Senior Member	Scud rules self out for 2009 AO Mark Philippoussis ruled out of 2009 Australian Open November 30, 2008 12:50pm MARK Philippoussis has ruled himself out of the Australian Open, but has not thrown away his tennis racquet just yet. Philippoussis, 32, said it was "unrealistic" to compete at the first grand slam of 2009. "I can't expect the first couple of tournaments coming back to be best-of-five-set tournaments," he said. "I'd be crazy to think that." The former world No. 8, who is living in Melbourne, has not played on the regular tour since 2006 because of recurring knee injuries. He is focused on getting fitter and hopes to lose about 10kg. "I've lost like four kilos in the past month," Philippoussis said. "I'm a big boy. I'm probably around 100kg. "I'd love to get down to 90kg. Probably the last time I was 90, maybe I was 18 years old. "For me to have a chance of getting back out there I need to be as light as possible." Philippoussis said he hoped to get back to where he once was. "My heart would like to give it one more go," he said. "Whether that's realistic, whether my body is going to allow that I will have to wait and see." Fellow Australian Peter Luczak has overcome a stress fracture in his pelvis and will play at the Australian Open wildcard playoffs, which start on December 15. http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/stor...005401,00.html
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