![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wimbledons-unlikeliest-finalist-dated-neighbours-star-and-came-back-from-three-surgeries/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/0_GettyImages-78945468.jpg&description=A LOOK BACK: Mark Philippoussis' run to the final at Wimbledon in 2003 after the Aussie's years of injury hell was one of top level tennis' most surprising comeback stories However good the best comeback story of 2023 feels to you, it has nothing on Mark Philippoussis' SW19 run some 20 years ago. Big-serving Aussie Philippoussis was just 21 when he made his first Grand Slam final, losing to compatriot Pat Rafter at the 1998 US Open. Around the turn of the century, though, knee issues left him needing not one, not two, but three surgeries. After three straight quarter-final runs, the Melbourne pro sat out Wimbledon altogether in 2001 - in fact, he sat out all four slams. He was still unseeded when he travelled to South-West London in 2003, but that was no obstacle to the most unlikely of runs. Philippoussis' first Wimbledon run after his Flushing Meadows final brought the start of his knee problems. After beating home favourite Greg Rusedski to reach the quarter-finals, dropping just three sets across the first four rounds of the tournament, he became the first player to take a set off top seed Pete Sampras before disaster struck. "I felt like I landed OK, but I heard a click and I grabbed [my knee], and I thought nothing of it until he hit a serve," the Australian said. "Then, when I sort of jumped forward to split-step, my knee just gave way and I heard a huge click" Philippoussis' game was over, freeing up Sampras to go on and win the title thanks to further victories over Tim Henman and Andre Agassi. The American told his opponent he was "kicking my a**," but that will have been scant consolation to someone playing well enough to have a real shot at glory. Where does Mark Philippoussis' run rank amongst Wimbledon's best comebacks? Have your say in the comments section Later in his career, Philippoussis attracted as much attention for what happened off the court. He famously dated 'Neighbours' star and singer Delta Goodrem and 'Crash' actress Jennifer Esposito, an){kind=link}
A LOOK BACK: Mark Philippoussis’ run to the final at Wimbledon in 2003 after the Aussie’s years of injury hell was one of top level tennis’ most surprising comeback stories
However good the best comeback story of 2023 feels to you, it has nothing on Mark Philippoussis’ SW19 run some 20 years ago.
Big-serving Aussie Philippoussis was just 21 when he made his first Grand Slam final, losing to compatriot Pat Rafter at the 1998 US Open. Around the turn of the century, though, knee issues left him needing not one, not two, but three surgeries.
After three straight quarter-final runs, the Melbourne pro sat out Wimbledon altogether in 2001 – in fact, he sat out all four slams. He was still unseeded when he travelled to South-West London in 2003, but that was no obstacle to the most unlikely of runs.
Philippoussis’ first Wimbledon run after his Flushing Meadows final brought the start of his knee problems. After beating home favourite Greg Rusedski to reach the quarter-finals, dropping just three sets across the first four rounds of the tournament, he became the first player to take a set off top seed Pete Sampras before disaster struck.