Philippoussis falls at Queen's Club
Hard-serving Aussie may not play at Wimbledon
Posted: Tuesday June 09, 1998 06:11 PM
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Philippoussis was considering leaving Europe even before Wimbledon (AP) |
LONDON (AP) -- Mark Philippoussis, once considered a potential Wimbledon champion, was ousted in the opening round of the Queen's Club tournament Tuesday and said he may not play in the Grand Slam tournament.
The Australian, the defending champion in the grass-court Wimbledon warmup, lost to Jordi Burillo of Spain 7-6 (11-9), 7-5.
In another upset, American Todd Martin lost 6-4, 6-2 to Swiss qualifier Ivo Heuberger.
Australian Jason Stoltenberg, seeded No. 16, lost to Belgian qualifier Laurence Tieleman 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2.
Goran Ivanisevic, the 10th seed and runner-up in 1997, overcame American David Wheaton 6-1, 7-6 (10-8). Other seeded players to advance were No. 12 Todd Woodbridge, No. 13 Brett Steven, No. 14 Byron Black and No. 15 Mark Woodforde.
American qualifier Doug Flach, ranked 222, ousted the Czech Republic's Daniel Vacek 4-6, 6-1, 6-3.
Philippoussis was considering leaving Europe even before Wimbledon.
"This year's been pathetic for me and I just haven't been there at all," said Philippoussis, who has failed to get beyond the opening round in five of his 12 tournaments this year.
"I'm actually deciding whether to play Wimbledon," he said. "At the moment I'm not sure. I'm not sure what's going to happen. I'll go to Florida and talk with my father about it.
"On the court nothing's there for me. I haven't got the desire, and I can't afford to go out there and give away matches like that. It's better not going on the court at all."
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