At 35, Aces' Philippoussis still loves tennis
The St. Louis Aces are aging like fine wine.
This year's roster includes three players who will turn 35 this year. Geezers? Hardly. They are of championship pedigree. Lindsay Davenport won three Grand Slam singles titles and was ranked No. 1 in four separate years. Liezel Huber has won five Grand Slam doubles titles. Both are scheduled to appear in all 14 matches for the Aces, who play their home schedule at Dwight Davis Tennis Center in Forest Park.
Then there's Mark Philippoussis. Known for his booming serve, Philippoussis appeared in two Grand Slam finals early in his career, before injuries got the better of him. But he's rediscovered his passion and will put it on display for four matches with the Aces.
"Mark will come in to play the home stretch," Aces president Dani Apted said. "He'll be fresh when we need it."
Apted adopted the slogan, "We're in it to win it," and World TeamTennis founder Billie Jean King agreed.
"St. Louis and DC have the best two rosters on paper. On paper," King said. "So, the fans there can expect a good season."
The short season serves its purpose for the Aces' trio as well.
"They are refreshed. Their love for the game is back, and this is the perfect outlet," Apted said. "It's perfect for their competitive natures but isn't as hard on them as the tour."
Philippousis is playing his third season of team tennis, which he said feeds his love both for tennis and for team sports.
"I love the format. With the guys and girls and mixed doubles, every night in one session, the pressure is always on," he said. "I love team rivalry and the atmosphere. Normally, tennis crowds are so quiet, but not in team tennis. That's what makes it exciting. That's why athletes become athletes."
Philippoussis first fell in love with tennis at age 12 and "worked my ass off for four years with my dad," Nick, a former soccer goalie and his first coach.
He turned pro in 1995 at age 19, was named ATP newcomer of the year and finished the year as the youngest player inside the Top 50. Quickly gaining a reputation for his bazooka serve, he reached the final of the 1998 U.S. Open, losing to fellow Aussie Pat Rafter. Despite appearing in a second Grand Slam final, losing to Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2003, he counts as his proudest moments representing Australia in Davis Cup victories in 1999 and 2003.
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