Ex-tennis star’s dad busted
Charged in molestation of two boys
THE FATHER of former Australian tennis star Mark Philippoussis was arrested this week in San Diego for allegedly molesting two young boys he trained.
Nikolaos Philippoussis, a 68-yearold tennis coach, was hauled off by cops Tuesday morning and was charged with 12 counts of committing a lewd or lascivious act with a minor and two counts of committing sexual acts with a child younger than 10 years old, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.
“Philippoussis works as a personal tennis coach in Northern San Diego County and the alleged molestation victims took tennis lessons from him,” sheriff’s Lieutenant Greg Rylaarsdam said in a statement. “The investigation is ongoing at this time.”
Following a search of Philippoussis’ home, Rylaarsdam said “at this point, nothing indicates that there are other victims, but anyone with information about this case should call us.”
Philippoussis also coached his son Mark Philippoussis to prominence in the 1990s and early 2000s. In April 1999, he reached No. 8 in the world, his highest pro ranking, and Mark Philippoussis made the finals of the 1998 U.S. Open and Wimbledon in 2003. His father coached him until 2006 amid reports that the two had a falling out. Mark Philippoussis strongly denied those rumors, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
“Let me tell you, that stuff’s ridiculous,” he said after he was eliminated from the U.S. Open in 2006.
“It’s frustrating when I hear that stuff because I’m a tennis player and athlete,” he said. “Someone wants to write about my tennis, great. It’s unfortunate when I have to read things about my personal life and my family. My dad’s my dad. He’s been there from the start. Without him, I wouldn’t be where I am. There’s nothing at all that’s happened with my dad. I just needed to spend some time on my own.”