SAS PUTS SCUD TO THE TEST
SURF Coast resident and tennis legend Mark “Scud” Philippoussis stars in the new season of tough reality TV series SAS Australia, which kicks off on Monday.
Under the direction of elite exSpecial Forces soldiers, 18 contestants face a gruelling series of physical and psychological tests from the real SAS selection process.
Philippoussis, who boasts two Davis Cup titles, described the SAS experience as “the hardest, most fulfilling time of my life”.
He said while training in the lead-up to the show, his main focus was his knees.
“I lost around 4kg by hiking and doing lots of stairs carrying weight,” he said. “I did a lot of core work too.”
The 44-year-old said he joined the show to get out of his comfort zone and push himself to his limits and beyond – physically, emotionally and psychologically.
He said the experience taught him he was stronger than he thought and capable of anything.
As they’re subjected to extreme physical endurance, sleep deprivation, interrogation and psychological testing, contestants need to push past their fears and limits in the hope of passing SAS selection.
Some reach breaking point and withdraw.
The contestants are made up of a broad range of famous faces, ranging from a former politician to athletes and actors.
Philippoussis said his family was loving life on the Surf Coast, where they relocated from Melbourne in January.
The new season of SAS Australia starts on Monday at 7.30pm on Channel 7 and 7 plus.