On the ATP Show...
This is a transcript of a segment the ATP Tour tv show did on Mark way back during the BMW Open. I taped it, of course, and I'm really glad I did, because what the interview lacked, the footage made up for. Finally, Mark smiling and chatting...Whoo hoo! He looked hella cute too, but that's just my hormones talkin'. Anyway, AG=Announcer Guy, and Mark=Mark. Here we go...
AG: First we go to Munich where over $500,000 was there for the taking at the BMW Open.
Munich 1997, and the crowd expecting another Spanish victory on the clay. The prodigal Australian Mark Philippoussis however was out to prove otherwise. He beat Alex Corretja in a tough three setter. It was a shock to many, but not to the victor.
Mark: It wasn't like a surprising feeling...I knew I could do it, I can play some good tennis on clay. It could be one of my favorite surfaces and I was just really happy, obviously, to get that first claycourt title.
AG: The 21 year old returns to the scene of his triumph, once again the underdog. Despite victory in Memphis in February, Philippoussis has been experiencing a patchy run of form lately, but he still believes things are looking up.
Mark: Well, I've been playing some good tennis lately. I played well in Monte Carlo last week. But, I play well in Munich...the balls do fly, I feel like there's an altitude there, there's not really, but the balls do fly...it's good for the way I play.
AG: Philippoussis recognizes that half the battle in a claycourt match is played in the head.
Mark: Playing on clay is so much more mental and physical, y'know, having that long rally, and maybe you have to wait thirty shots until you get a short ball, and can you wait that long? Can you take it physically or mentally for three sets, or five in the French? It's tough...
AG: For a young man, the daily grind of the tour can be demoralizing, but Philippoussis can count on the support of his coach Gavin Hopper, a man who's experienced life on the pro circuit, and can offer his pupil invaluable insights.
Mark: There's not many things wrong, technically, with my game, it's more thinking-wise, mentally, and how I've been feeling. He knows everything about that, and it's very important.
AG: His critics have blamed some of his lapses of form on his off-court interests, and the youngster's honest enough to take that on board.
Mark: I think I'm capable of getting inside the top ten, hopefully the top five, but I don't want to rush things. I sort of enjoy my life too much, otherwise I think I'd be there.
AG: In fact the end of 1997 saw his fellow Australian and good friend Patrick Rafter reach the top ten before him. Mark's only too happy for his practice partner and knows that success comes to those who wait.
Mark: He had a great year, you can't beat the year he had...y'know, I'm just taking it slowly, I think I'm a lot more immature than he is. But I'm going to take it tournament by tournament and pace myself...
AG: Rafter's taken the spotlight away from his friend, and this maybe is just what Philippoussis needs. With expectations placed on others shoulders, he should have the time to develop into a top player on all surfaces.
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