Melbourne, Dec 14 :The long-odds dream of Mark Philippoussis to somehow make one last stand in the professional game looks to be all but gone after the 33-year-old failed to sign on for this week's Australian Open wild card play-offs.

The winner in the 16-man event which began Monday will earn a wild card place into the season's first Grand Slam starting January 17.

But with some of the competitors up to 15 years younger than Philippoussis, it may not be surprising that the subject of six major knee surgeries might have given up on his chances.

Sydney, Oct 14 : Former Australian tennis player Mark Philippoussis, who is experiencing a financial crunch, could possibly earn more than 200,000 dollars from selling rights to cover his engagement and wedding ceremony with US actress Jennifer Esposito.

According to reports, negotiations were under way between Philippoussis and several magazines regarding an exclusive two-story deal, which will be given to the highest bidder.

Melbourne, Sep. 6 : Tennis ace Mark Philippoussis is being chased by the US taxman and has sold his Williamstown family home to avoid having it repossessed.

It has now emerged that the US Internal Revenue Service has pursued the Scud for about 1.4 million dollars during the past decade.

US records show the IRS still wants about 500,000 dollars for tax debts dating back to 2003.

Melbourne, August 17 : Mark Philippoussis' ex-girlfriend has spilt the beans about the Aussie tennis player, tagging him as aloof and shocking with money.

Cheerleader Amanda Salinas, who dated the player for five months, revealed Philippoussis' wild spending habits, his poor work ethic, and his love rat ways.

"He just didn''t think things through," the Herald Sun quoted Salinas as saying.

The 28-year-old, from Tennessee, said that the Scud bought a truck and got an expensive lease in Las Vegas so that he could live by the beach and surf.

Melbourne, June 7: Former Australian tennis player Mark Philippoussis has been offered a lifeline to save his Williamstown home as the company which launched court action said it had decided to use "hardship" provisions to help “The Scud”.

Pepper Home Loans chief operating officer David Holmes said his firm was acting on behalf of the lender, GMAC, an American company which had pulled out of the Australian home mortgage market.

He said options being considered included suspending or lowering Philippoussis'' home repayments under a "hardship arrangement".

Melbourne, Mar 19 : Aussie tennis player Mark Philippoussis' ex-girlfriend, model Siobhan Parekh, is feeling happy and positive two months after their break-up.

Parekh has relocated to Sydney after ending her 11-month relationship with Philippoussis, who is alleged to have cheated on her, and she has moved into a Bondi apartment.

"I believe every ending is a new beginning," the Daily Telegraph quoted her as telling Confidential.

Melbourne, Jan 27 : Rumours are abuzz that tennis star Mark Philippoussis, who recently broke-up with Irish-Indian model Siobhan Parekh, has a new women in his life.

Philippoussis had a new beauty cheering on his comeback at Melbourne Park, reports the Daily Telegraph.

He was supported by stunning Melbourne hairdresser Chantelle Theos, who was sitting courtside with the Poo''s posse.

Watching Philippoussis play in the Legends series, Theos then accompanied the tennis ace to Melbourne hot spot Eve, where they were snapped dancing and drinking.

Adelaide, Australia  - Mis-firing Mark Philippoussis has apologized for a miserabke performance at the World Tennis Challenge, as the two-time Grand Slam finalist made a timid return to the game.

The 32-year-old was competing for the first time in more than a year since re-injuring his right knee and undergoing another operation. Australia with Philippoussis and Pat Cash lost to the US side with Jim Courier and Taylor Dent.

Melbourne, Jan 14 : She's been moping around Sydney looking miserable and scarily thin - such is the fate of model Irish-Indian Siobhan Parekh, who just broke-up with tennis star Mark Philippoussis.

The couple have gone their separate ways after an 11-month relationship and Parekh is reported to have taken the split quite badly.

Parekh was spotted looking far from her bubbly self.

"She has lost so much weight - she was small before but is now minuscule," the Daily Telegraph quoted a source, as telling Confidential.

Melbourne  - Mark Philippoussis will play it safe in his first serious match in two years as the injury-prone former player competes in this week's exhibition in Adelaide.

After multiple knee surgeries the 32-year-old Philippoussis is unsure about any tennis future.

"I have no expectations," the two-time Grand Slam finalist told local media. "I don't need to prove anything to anyone or even to myself, it's just about me loving the game and getting back out and playing the game.

"There's no way I'm looking too far ahead."

Melbourne, Australia  - Mark Philippoussis will make a return to tennis two years after last playing professionally as he enters the senior event at the Australian Open.

The 32-year-old double Grand Slam finalist sprang the surprise on Monday with the first major of the season now a month away. Philippoussis last competed in January
2007, going down with injury at the Hopman Cup.