Australian Players (Both Men and Women)

[love15]

Allthough i would love to see this guy get somewhere, i think he has had his chances, and consideration should be made for younger players. Its a tough one. But he cant just keep rellying on wildcards ey. what do u guys think

[mackiemad]

i think that some players and soprts poeple are doomed to always under-acheive and get injuries. i also think his arrogance in knowing he will get wildcards has limited his drive to get back into the top. i mean alicia molik played off for a wilcard - even though she had been told she would get one anyway. and where was the poo?? off somewhere with his young, pretty fiancee. all very well and good - but if he was serious???

[avalon]

He come out this week to say he had broken up with the girlfriend 3 months ago, after US Open

Surgery forces Scud out of Open
January 03, 2007

MARK Philippoussis is out of the Australian Open and his career is in danger because of his latest knee injury.

Philippoussis was told today he needs surgery on the knee he hurt in the Hopman Cup tie last night.

He arrived at a Perth hospital in a wheelchair today and an MRI scan revealed Philippoussis has torn the lateral meniscus cartilage in his right knee.

The injury to the cartilage, a semi-circular ring of cartilage which acts as a shock absorber for the knee bones, requires surgery and rules him out of a potential wildcard entry into the first grand slam of 2007, beginning at Melbourne Park next week.

It will also place even more scrutiny on the viability of Philippoussis's playing future, following three previous knee operations as well as other physical problems that have blighted the mercurial Melburnian.

The 30-year-old was left distraught after injuring his right knee in the fourth game of his match against Frenchman Jerome Haehnel.

Despite attempting to play on after lengthy treatment, Philippoussis lasted just two more games before hobbling off.

It is the third time Philippoussis has withdrawn from the mixed team event after tearing an adductor muscle in 2005 and withdrawing in 2000 because of shin splints.

New South Welshman Nathan Healey has been drafted in as his replacement in the Australian team, and will fly in tomorrow to play in the tie against America.

The forfeit handed France the tie following Tatiana Golovin's straight-sets win against Alicia Molik.

immediately sought medical assistance and was afforded a three-minute injury time-out but, despite returning with his knee strapped, he was clearly inconvenienced and quickly lost the next point.

He looked like a wounded man when he served in the fifth game and retired after surrendering his third service game, trailing 4-1.

Although he finished his 2006 campaign playing Challenger events in California and Hawaii, the Melburnian had worked feverishly in Las Vegas with Gil Reyes, Andre Agassi's former fitness adviser, and Darren Cahill in a desperate attempt to kick-start a rise up the rankings ladder.

[love15]

mackiemad said:

i think that some players and soprts poeple are doomed to always under-acheive and get injuries. i also think his arrogance in knowing he will get wildcards has limited his drive to get back into the top. i mean alicia molik played off for a wilcard - even though she had been told she would get one anyway. and where was the poo?? off somewhere with his young, pretty fiancee. all very well and good - but if he was serious???

i totally agree. He always knew he would get wildcards to the grandslams, thus the motivation was lost. Its just frustrating that his career is basically gone, as we are so down on players atm. He had talent, he seemed to have determination for this year. Thats life i guess

[hellanvodka]

From www.smh.com.au/news/tennis/philippoussis-puts-on-a-brave-face-but-shattered-knees-may-have-thefinal-say/2007/01/03/1167777154582.html

Philippoussis puts on a brave face but shattered knees may have the final say

Jacquelin Magnay
January 4, 2007
THE problem is that Mark Philippoussis doesn't have three knees, nor age on his side.

After damaging his "good" right knee on Tuesday night in the Hopman Cup, Philippoussis's frustratingly unfulfilled tennis career looks to be over.

The 30-year-old shattered his right knee when putting all of his weight upon it, then turning and twisting quickly to return to the backcourt in the fourth game of the match against Jerome Haehnel of France on Tuesday night.

Philippoussis said yesterday he had been in severe pain and that scans had shown he had torn his right lateral meniscus.

"I was in so much pain yesterday because I tore it," he said. "What happened was that it has now folded back into the joint so any kind of movement causes so much pain. Out of 10 the pain level is 15. I have never had anything like this before."

Sydney knee expert Dr Merv Cross will return from holidays to perform the surgery as quickly as possible after Philippoussis arrives this morning on the red-eye flight from Western Australia.

A packed Perth audience was stunned at how upset Philippoussis was, but he has been through this before, having had several operations on his "bad" left knee.

"I think he knows deep down just what this means," sports doctor Peter Larkins said yesterday. "It is not good to have such an injury at his age - the cartilage is there for cushioning and padding and his game, on hard court surfaces with sideways movement means that getting fitness afterwards is very difficult.

"He is a big fellow in a sport that changes direction a lot and now he doesn't even have one good knee to rely on."

Hopman Cup tournament doctor Hamish Osborne's initial prognosis was a blunt "four weeks or never" for a possible comeback.

Philippoussis says he wants to continue playing, but it may be that his body refuses to allow him to do so.

"It [the cartilage] is going to have to get cut up and trimmed," Philippoussis said. "The tear is too big to be repaired ¡­ nothing in life is easy. You have to fight. It is just another setback. It's another injury. It's going to be hard getting back from rehabilitation and all that. 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. Just keep going."

Usually such an operation requires recuperation of six to 10 weeks. Philippoussis will miss the Auckland Open, and he was attempting to qualify for a wildcard entry to the Australian Open, which starts on January 15. At best he will miss the Australian summer and may attempt a comeback in the middle part of the year. But doctors predict such a comeback may be unsuccessful.
A tear to the lateral part of the knee is more sinister than a medial tear and it usually results in a debilitating spiral of further breakdowns and further trimming of the cartilage. Philippoussis has already undergone that process on his left knee and regularly has sophisticated injections of synthetic cartilage to prevent painful bone-on-bone grinding. Larkins said Philippoussis will most likely suffer arthritis in both knees from the injuries.

There have been instances of footballers and athletes continuing to compete after cartilage damage, but Philippoussis's problem is that he will not be able to over-compensate on his other knee and he will find it hard to train consistently to regain sufficient match fitness.

Star 400-metre hurdles runner Jana Rawlinson suffered the same lateral tear just before the Athens Olympics but returned to competition in super-quick time, racing just 13 days later and finishing fifth in the Olympic 400m hurdles final.

Nathan Healey has been drafted in as Philippoussis's replacement and will play in the tie against the US.

WHY SCUD HAS MISFIRED

1999: Moderate cartilage tear in left knee during Wimbledon quarter-final against Pete Sampras.


2000: Lateral cartilage tear, left-knee surgery, missed Australian Open, Hopman Cup and Davis Cup.

2001: Minor left-knee surgery.

2002: Left-knee surgery after forfeiting first round of US Open.

2004: Three synthetic cartilage injections in knee blamed for early exit at Athens Olympics and first-round loss in Los Angeles.

2004: Retired in first round of US Open with upper left-leg tightness related to knee.

2005: Adductor, left ankle.

2006: Back.

2007: Large tear in the lateral cartilage of right knee.

[sonya]

Omg! Some people just don't have luck! Good to hear he's willing to fight though

[love15]

Rasheed dumps Hewitt

A POST-MATCH confrontation between Lleyton Hewitt and Roger Rasheed is believed to have effectively ended one of the closest partnerships in Australian tennis.

Rasheed is known to be distressed by aspects of Hewitt's behaviour, including verbal barbs directed at him and other support staff, during the former world champion's upset loss to Russian Igor Kunitsyn on Thursday night. A frustrated Hewitt's comments were clearly audible to spectators sitting near Rasheed, Hewitt's wife Bec and the couple's manager Justin Cohen.
It is understood Rasheed and Hewitt briefly addressed the issue during a heated exchange in a deserted locker-room at Memorial Drive after the match.

Rasheed sought counsel from several trusted allies yesterday before driving to Hewitt's West Lakes home.

There, following a brief conversation, Rasheed tendered his resignation. It is understood Hewitt was stunned by Rasheed's decision to walk after almost four years in the job.

The Wimbledon and U.S. Open winner has often raved about Rasheed's dedication, loyalty and friendship.

Rasheed has been no less effusive about Hewitt. Rasheed would not confirm reports last night his resignation had been prompted by sledging from Hewitt, one of the fiercest competitors in the world.

But he is known to have raised the matter with Hewitt in the off-season, stressing the need for a clear mind in the heat of battle.

As with many other professional players, Hewitt vents his frustration to - and at - his support staff when locked in competition. The Kunitsyn match was no exception.

"Today I have given Lleyton Hewitt written notice of termination of my contractual arrangements with him," Rasheed said in a prepared statement. "This is the hardest decision I've ever had to make, but one I felt I had no choice but to make.

"Within the current environment, I don't believe it is possible for us to get the results we are looking for.

"The timing is not ideal, but I feel that it is in both of our best interests that this decision not be delayed.

"I love the guy. I still believe he's one of the greatest talents in professional tennis, and most ferocious competitors in the game. I believe in Lleyton as a player and still believe he's capable of winning Grand Slams, but I feel the only way I can make a positive change to his environment, and mine, is to walk away from one of the great coaching jobs.

"My time with Lleyton has been extremely rewarding and challenging and I have thoroughly enjoyed coaching at the highest level. I have also thoroughly enjoyed my time on the road and even though my wife and I have just become parents, I wouldn't hesitate to jump back into a similar role, as this is the easiest time to travel with a family.

"I absolutely love the sport of tennis and look forward to the opportunity to be involved in a coaching role in the future. I wish Lleyton all the very best of luck."

Rasheed's resignation leaves Hewitt without a mentor for the Australian Open but there was immediate speculation last night former Davis Cup coach Wally Masur would be targeted if the coach at the National High Performance Academy in Sydney is available.

Jason Stoltenberg and Darren Cahill formerly coached Hewitt.

www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,21017043-12428,00.html

Hewitt also pulled out of medibank Int.

[Annie]

She really is too cute ;D ;D ;D

[jenhatter06]

awww, too cute

gives me a new found adoration for Lleyton ... good family guy ... and he & Bec are adorable too

[avalon]

Sam Stosur, the quiet achiever................ ;D

Herald Sun

Battling Stosur stuns Mauresmo
May 17, 2007 12:00am


AUSTRALIA'S Samantha Stosur has beaten Amelie Mauresmo for the first time in six meetings to advance to the last 16 of the Italian Open.

The world No. 29 derailed top seed Mauresmo's French Open preparations with a gruelling 7-5 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (9-7) second round upset in Rome.

The marathon on clay lasted for almost three hours, with the underdone French top seed failing to close it out on a pair of match points.

Stosur made the most of her chances against Mauresmo, who was playing only her second event since appendix surgery in February.

Stosur will play Swiss Patty Schnyder for a place in the WTA tournament's quarter-finals.

"The whole match was tight,'' Stosur said.

"It went game-for-game until the third set. I had to keep fighting, try my best and see. I pulled it out in the tiebreaker.

"Hopefully I can come back and do it again tomorrow.''

A demoralised Mauresmo was disappointed with her performance.

"I guess I didn't keep the intensity the way I should have,'' she said.

"I have nothing much to say but (that I'm) just disappointed, and obviously I guess the lack of matches showed a little bit at that moment.''

[avalon]

First it was Darren Cahill and now it seems it may be Tony Roche.................as Lleyton's new coach

Herald Sun [again]

Hewitt camp seeks meeting

AUSSIE tennis star Lleyton Hewitt's management was last night planning an approach to Tony Roche, as the coach contemplated his future.

Hewitt's manager David Drysdale said he would seek a meeting with Roche if Wimbledon and US Open winner Hewitt wanted to pursue the man regarded as the world's finest mentor.

Roche, 61, was dumped by Roger Federer on Sunday after the world champion's loss to Italian Filippo Volandri at the Rome Masters.

The split paves the way for Hewitt and Roche to build an association many in the Australian tennis fraternity believe will breathe fresh life into Hewitt's game.

Darren Cahill remains a popular choice to succeed Roche as Federer's adviser.

Roche has returned to Sydney to continue coaching Sophie Ferguson as the possibility of teaming with Hewitt looms large.

Hewitt, ranked 20th in the world, has been operating without a coach since the Australian Open in January, when Scott Draper opted to pursue a golfing career.

Drysdale yesterday confirmed Hewitt's interest in his former Davis Cup coach.

"I'm going to talk to Lleyton about it tonight," he said.

"If Lleyton wants me to have a chat with Tony about coaching before I leave next week (for the French Open in Paris), then I will have a chat with Tony. I don't know what Tony's frame of mind is right now or whether he wants to take a break from coaching.

"We need to know whether Tony is interested.

"If there was a one per cent chance of getting Tony across to Wimbledon (June 25-July 8), that would be fantastic.

"We already have a good coaching structure in place, with 'Fitzy' (Davis Cup captain John Fitzgerald) being there at the French Open and Wimbledon. Darren (Cahill) will also be over there doing television commentary, so that structure is in place.

"But it would be remiss of us not to talk to 'Rochey' if he was available. There is certainly no deal done. It is not a forgone conclusion."

Hewitt is known to be keenly interested in Roche. The pair's association stretches back to 1997, when Roche was Davis Cup coach and Hewitt a hitting partner.

Roche worked with Federer from 2005 until last week, helping the Swiss win six of his 10 majors. But four consecutive defeats saw Federer end the partnership.

Roche has made a habit of extracting the best from top-line players, including Federer, Ivan Lendl and Pat Rafter.

In many ways, former world champion Hewitt is the ultimate challenge for Roche.

Hewitt will next month celebrate the fifth anniversary of his Wimbledon victory -- a triumph that prompted Boris Becker to declare Hewitt would win up to 10 majors.

The baseliner, 26, has been dogged by injury since the 2005 season, when he finished fourth in the world after contesting only 46 matches.

Drysdale said yesterday Hewitt's first priority was to regain full fitness, before looking at his coaching structure.

[Annie]

Well Annette who is in Hamburg said it is Cahill indeed there with him

[avalon]

Cahill doesn't want to commit to a full time coaching job. In his new job working with the Davis Cup team he is 'keeping an eye on Lleyton'.

Do you care? I don't really

Anyway I think Lleyton should stop being greedy and give Chris Cuccione either Darren or Tony

In saying that, I hope a new coach brings a new attitude!!!

[Annie]

;D ;D ;D Too cute

[avalon]

How did you get your hands on the Australian Womens Weekly??