Roger Federer dominated tennis for several years, enjoying significant success at the four Grand Slam tournaments.
‘Prime Federer‘ was a player that struck fear into the hearts of his opposition, often making world-class talents look like amateurs.
Between 2003 and 2010, the Swiss star took home 16 Major titles, surpassing Pete Sampras‘ record of 14 Grand Slams.
Federer excelled at Wimbledon throughout his career, winning a record eight times, and remarkably clinched five straight titles between 2003 and 2007.
Taking down the ATP Tour legend on the grass seemed an impossible task, even for those at the very top of their games.
Returning from a horrendous injury in 2003, one Australian tennis legend attempted to beat the young Swiss star on his favored surface, a task that very few would’ve been up for.
Mark Philippoussis: The man who played Roger Federer for the Wimbledon title two years after spending ‘months’ in a wheelchair
Australian star Mark Philippoussis had burst onto the scene as a teenager in the 1990s, securing two shocking wins over world number one Sampras.
Standing at 6ft 5, the now 48-year-old reached the final of the US Open in 1998, falling in four sets to his fellow Aussie Pat Rafter.
He soon began to struggle with injuries, however, missing the entirety of the 2001 season recovering from knee surgery.
Speaking on the Stripping Off with Matt Haycox podcast recently, Philippoussis reflected on his battle back from injury that led him to a famous encounter with Federer on Centre Court.
“In 2001, I had my third knee surgery, and they said I’ll never play professional tennis again,” he said.
“I was out for nine months, in a wheelchair for a couple of months, then crutches for a couple of months before I started training slowly.
“That was a big year, getting back into shape fitness-wise and getting on the court again.”
Philippoussis entered Wimbledon in 2003 as a huge underdog but immediately found form on his favorite surface.
“I was unseeded, 80 something, I’m not sure,” he said.
“But every time I got on the grass I just felt incredibly comfortable, it was my favorite surface.
“I had won Queens before and it was just my favorite month of the year, something I looked forward to every year.”
Philippoussis reached the final of Wimbledon in 2003, where he faced off against Federer, who was yet to win a Major title.
“I got to the final, and I had beaten [Roger] Federer a month before that in the German Open in the round of 16,” he said.
“Playing him in the final, that was his first Grand Slam final, it’s not like he was unknown; he was three or four in the world, one of the best players in the world, and we know the natural player he is.
“So beautiful to watch and tough to play against, just the way he glided around the court.”
As both players searched for their first Major title, it was Federer who came out on top, winning in three sets, 7-6, 6-2, 7-6.
“I ended up losing to him in straight sets, I think it was two tiebreakers,” said Philippoussis.
“That first tiebreaker was huge because I was up a mini break, and if I’d won that first set I think things could’ve been different, but momentum was a huge thing.
“It was a long two weeks; I remember I was on the court six hours more than him, I’d played a couple of five-setters, beat Andre [Agassi] in five sets in the round of 16, then in the quarter-finals, was down two sets to love against [Alexander] Popp, came back to win.
“So it was just a long two weeks and unfortunately just couldn’t get it done.”
Philippoussis’ run to the final was indeed a tough one, as he played 24 sets, five more than Federer, who dropped just one set ahead of their match.
| Round | Opponent | Score |
| SF | Sebastien Grosjean [13] | 7-6, 6-3, 6-3 |
| QF | Alexander Popp | 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 8-6 |
| 4R | Andre Agassi [2] | 6-3, 2-6, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4 |
| 3R | Radek Stepanek [35] | 4-6, 7-6, 6-4, 7-6 |
| 2R | Cyril Saulnier | 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 |
| 1R | Mariano Zabaleta | 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 |
The Australian then explained how tough it was to see Federer lift the trophy on Centre Court 22 years ago.
“I was very proud of myself, but man did it hurt, to go all that way,” he said.
“In reality no-one remembers number two, no-one remembers the runner-up.
“I remember watching him go up to the box to hug his family, his coach, his team, watch him lift that trophy.
“Watching him do the lap around the court was tough but a proud moment as well.”
Did Mark Philippoussis return to a Grand Slam final after losing at Wimbledon in 2003?
Having enjoyed a strong year in 2003, reaching a career-high year-end ranking of ninth in the world, Philippoussis looked set for big things in 2004.
It wasn’t to be, however, as the Aussie star struggled for form, failing to reach the quarter-finals of a Major tournament during the last three years of his professional career.
- 2004 Australian Open – Lost in 4R
- 2004 French Open – Lost in 1R
- 2004 Wimbledon – Lost in 4R
- 2004 US Open – Lost in 1R
- 2005 Wimbledon – Lost in 2R
- 2005 US Open – Lost in 1R
- 2006 Australian Open – Lost in 1R
- 2006 Wimbledon – Lost in 2R
- 2006 US Open – Lost in 1R
Philippoussis retired from tennis in 2008 as a two-time Grand Slam finalist and two-time Davis Cup champion with Australia.
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