Tennis star wasted wealth – and bought a sports car after seeing it in Bad Boys
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Wimbledon finalist Mark Philippoussis revealed how he spent his tennis winnings, including a spontaneous purchase of a sports car because it was in the movie Bad Boys.
Philippoussis retired from tennis in 2015 but admitted on SAS Australia that his passion for the sport had dissipated years prior to the announcement.
Despite twice winning the Davis Cup and reaching the final of the 2003 Wimbledon tournament, five years after making it to the final of the US Open, Philippoussis admitted he was personally offended when sponsors went in other directions.
The Australian felt his success on the court had earned him some sort of lucrative clothing contract, particularly after winning his second Davis Cup in 2003 saw him reach a career-high ranking of eighth in the world.
However, the endorsements Philippoussis craved never came.
“I lost the love for tennis towards the end. I took things very personally that happened to me,” the 44-year-old said during Monday’s episode.
“I had my third knee surgery and was in a wheelchair for three months, and on crutches for a couple months. I was told I would never play tennis professionally again. That drove me.
“I came back and had my strongest year. I was in the finals at Wimbledon, eighth in the world and winning Davis Cup. [And I thought] how could I not have a clothing contract? My thought was 'f**k you’.
“My passion withered, I was battling an injury, and I just felt beaten up.
“I knew what it would take, and I thought, do I want to go there again? And I didn't. I didn't want to go there again.”
Phillippoussis acknowledged his spending habits were perhaps not ideal, as he would often lavishly spend his prize money on whatever item he desired.
There was no limit to his spending – with one purchase catching the eye.
“I was able to get what I wanted, and when I did, I was bored in five minutes,” the former professional tennis star admitted. “I knew straight away that didn't make me happy, that didn't motivate me at all.
“I would watch a new movie, like Bad Boys, and see they had the new Porsche Turbo, and I would call up my agent and say, ‘Get me the new Porsche Turbo’.
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“That's how ridiculous it was. The prize money doesn't make you happier, but ends up becoming the new normal.
“Now I just shake my head and laugh and go, ‘What an idiot’.”
However, Phillippoussis declared to the show’s instructors that he is in a better state of mind now. He strives to be the best version of himself for his family, and that is more than enough motivation.
He wants to be a better husband and father to his two children: “What I had as a tennis player was one chapter, this is another one.”
Philippoussis has been married to model Silvana Lovin since 2013.
- Wimbledon
- Tennis
- Money
- Family
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