Mark Philippoussis says what he thought was Pete Sampras’s one weakness in tennis as he calls it his ‘Achilles heel’

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Mark Philippoussis described the perfect game plan for playing against Pete Sampras – which he executed to great effect at the 1996 Australian Open.

The Australian was one of the more consistent players on tour during the 1990s and early 2000s and came close to wining a Grand Slam.

He competed against some of the best players in the world such as Pete Sampras and his successor Roger Federer.

Philippoussis relished the chance to compete against the top players on the big stage, and he took full advantage of that opportunity when he played Sampras in front of his home fans at Melbourne Park.

Mark Philippoussis names the one shot that was Pete Sampras’ ‘Achilles heel’

Sampras dominated tennis throughout the 1990s with his thunderous serve, precise groundstrokes and crisp volleys.

He caused many opponents plenty of problems and some just could not measure up to what he was able to produce on a consistent basis.

But Mark Philippoussis played the American to perfection when they competed at the 1996 Australian Open, and stunned Sampras 6-4 7-6(9) 7-6(3). The pair played at the US Open the season before, and Samapras won in four sets.

But he turned the tables on the World number one at the time, and Philippoussis has now told the Stripping Off with Matt Haycox podcast how he exploited one shot in the American’s game to help him cause a huge upset.

“I just turned 19 but I had one of the biggest serves out there on the tour easily, and I had the ground strokes to back it up and I also felt comfortable coming to the net and serving and volleying,” he said.

“Whenever I get an opportunity if it’s a second serve he misses it I’m going to chip and charge his backhand and I’m going to attack his backhand.

“Though he was number one in the world, you can get to his backhand, his backhand was his Achilles heel and where you can put pressure on him.”

Mark Philippoussis explains his mindset before beating Pete Sampras at the Australian Open

Having lost a competitive four-set match against Sampras at the 1995 US Open, Philippoussis reversed the result in front of his home fans.

The two-time Grand Slam runner-up admitted he felt nervous before the encounter, but as he stood behind Sampras and made his way to the court, he embodied a mindset that is critical against playing the world’s best.

“I specifically remember of course I was incredibly nervous you know,” he began. “I remember walking down the corridor and he’s in front of me and I’m watching Sampras walk out and I’m following him as we walk out on centre court at the Australian Open.

“As I’m following him and going down the hallway and you see the past champions, the names on the side. I’m checking him out from top to bottom and I remember saying to myself ‘F this guy, go out and beat him.’

“You always want to have respect for your opponent but don’t give them too much respect and I played great that night.”