Some things just dont run to plan. First Mark Philippoussis loses Septembers all-Australian US Open final to Queenslander Pat Rafter, and now he's having car trouble. The new Ferrari ordered by the 1.92m tennis ace from Williamstown, Victoria, was due to be added today to the Philippoussis collection but was damaged while being loaded onto a truck. It's gone back to the shop.Bummer.

At least -in Both cases - the Scud scored nice consilation prizes . At the Open it was a $400,000 pay cheque and kudos for making his first grand slam final. Now , in lieu of the Italian sports car, a sleek 6.5m fishing boat and a Seadoo water scooter have just been unloaded at the pristine 5 bedroom waterside home the star bought during winter as an alternative to his Monte Carlo apartment.

"I consider myself a big kid " says Philippoussis, who repotedly paid more than $2 million for the house in the exclusive Florida resort island of Longboat Key. "I love my toy's. I love just having fun. I'm mature when I have to be, but I don't like to be mature too much."

Well, he's allowed to say that. But since the 17 yearold Year 11 drop out from Melbournes Wesley College turned pro, annoited his former bank manager father Nick.49 as his coach and lit out on the world circuit, Philippoussis's career
has been a tumult of quick change coaches, unfullfilled potential and media skirmishes. There have been rumblings he was commited more to the trappings than the game itself.

" He likes the fast lane. The girls, the fancy cars," says Philippoussis 's manager Thomas Ross. "But he's getting better about how to dicipline himself." Philippoussis agrees."I had too much fun to have some serious results. Notthat I was partying too much; just my cars. I love fast cars. But now it's time to mature and try to set things up. I know I've got what it takes."

Nick Philippoussis, Mark's svengali, best buddy and constant shadow, says his son" works hard to have it all." No longer his coach, Nick oversee's Mark's training, handles the buissness deals and OK's rare interveiws, while wife Rossana, stays home with the couple's daughter Anna Maria, a teacher. Watching Mark play, says Nick, is "stressfull enough to take 3 or 4 years off
your life . At least off mine."

Not that there's much tension being felt right now in the sprawling three storey home. Philippoussis, wearing only a pair of FILA shorts and the reflecting glory from his 6 pack torso , is kicking back on his living room couch and planning a sunset fishing trip. "Look at this place," he says. "It's beautiful."

There are 6 bathrooms and 5 bedrroms, with the wardrobe in the master suite stocked with over 100 pairs of new tennis socks, nearly a dozen pair of white sneakers and all kinds of tennis shirts, still inside their plastic packages. A Jacuzzi flows into a heated pool; theres a gym, library and study. Soon to come is a "cinema room" with a wall sized projection screen for watching TV and movies.

After his tremendous showing at the US Open, Philippoussis received and rejected two movie offers. In one, he would have played the Greek son of Anthony Quinn. " I need to concentrate on my tennis right now " he explains-but has hopes of launching a 2nd spotlit career some day. "To be quite honest, I want to stop playing tennis when I'm 28 or 29 ," he
says. "I really want to be an actor and be in movies. I like to do crazy things here and there . I like to act . I love immitating people .I just love movies so much."

Philippoussis's critics might say that when it comes to drama, the towering pin up boy is best at losing the plot. A series of devastating losses lastyear had him thinking brieflyabout quitting the game because " It was no fun anymore." In Australia he became an antihero last year when he made himself unavailable for the Davis cup tie against Zimbabwe.

Stung by public critismand a personal plea from Victorian Premier Jeff Kennet, Philippoussis eventually showed up for the clash , but it was as spectator who chatted on his mobile phone in the stands as Australia went down 2-3 .

He works out 5 to 6 times a week and hits up to 2 hours each day. " I like to get all of my stuff out of the way of in the morning . Then I've got the rest of the day to go and jet ski or to ride my motorbike or to go fishing."