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Latest Articles Johnny Mac Joins Philippoussis Critics By Shannon Burdine JOHN McEnroe has joined a bevy of former and contemporary stars who believe Mark Philippoussis's tattered career has slumped to crisis point. While looking in better shape and thinner than in previous years during his loss to Louis Horna in the first round of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic, in Washington, D.C., this week, he appeared to lack the confidence he needs to get back to the top. Briefly coach last year to Philippoussis, joining the likes of former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash and the esteemed Australian Peter McNamara in the revolving door of former coaches, former world No.1 McEnroe concedes the Victorian's struggle for fitness compromises a rare talent. He also suggests Philippoussis is barely clinging to a life as a touring professional after an abysmal 2004 and a diffident 2005 season. Philippoussis previously made the 1998 U.S. Open finals and the 2003 Wimbledon finals, and has won 10 career singles titles. "I worked with Mark, I know what he's capable of,"
McEnroe said. "Obviously, he's a great talent. He's at a critical
time of his career. "He asked me to work with him and coach him,
but it didn't pan out because ... it's a long story. Ranked an unbecoming 208th in the world, Philippoussis this week lost to Peruvian claycourter Luis Horna in the latest in a bulging catalogue of inexplicable defeats. This after having suffered a humiliating loss in the qualifying rounds in Los Angeles just last week to 414th-ranked Amir Hadad. With his ability to enter regular tour events now out of his control due to his low ranking, Philippoussis has had to rely on wildcard invitations into each of the eight tournaments he has contested this season, as he did for entrance into the Legg Mason Tennis Classic this week. McEnroe, 46, last month chipped further layers off Philippoussis's once impregnable confidence by beating the 28-year-old serve-volleyer in singles, doubles and mixed doubles in World Team Tennis. Without a tournament victory since October 2003, Philippoussis must now rely on a wildcard to avoid qualifying at the 2005 U.S. Open, which begins on August 29, just weeks away. As a former finalist, Philippoussis should have a chance at gaining the wildcard, but the USTA's favor of American players could put that wildcard in jeopardy. McEnroe is one of at least a dozen mentors to be employed by Philippoussis. Almost without exception, everyone who has ever worked with the US Open and Wimbledon finalist emerges disappointed over arguably the worst work ethic in the sport. Even the Mercurial Marat Safin, Philippoussis's second-round Wimbledon conqueror, whose own work ethic has been attacked in the past, has questioned the Australian's ability to once again compete at the highest level. Yet the supremely talented dual Davis Cup winner insists his best tennis remains ahead. INDIAN WELLS IN TROUBLE? What's the tennis tourney worth to voters? Colin Atagi INDIAN WELLS - Hoping to keep a major tourist attraction from going overseas, city officials decided on Thursday to put an admission tax increase proposal on the November ballot. Voters will decide whether Indian Wells will be able to raise its admission tax from 5 percent to 6 to 10 percent on an as-needed basis. The money would go, in part, toward paying for the costs of hosting the Pacific Life Open and could help keep the tennis tournament from relocating to China, officials said. The city is working on an agreement with tournament co-owner PM Sports on refinancing the $39 million mortgage on the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. The debt service on the mortgage has caused the tournament to lose money each year since 2002. PM Sports wants to refinance the loan, to a 6 percent or lower interest rate from an 8 percent interest rate, but it needs Indian Wells' help. "Our bottom line is, we want PM Sports and the tournament specifically to stay in the Coachella Valley," said Councilwoman Mary Roche. "That's the bottom line, and we want them to be successful." Indian Wells is contracted with PM Sports to hold the annual tennis tournament at the $77 million Indian Wells Tennis Gardens through 2007, and supporting the event from 2000 to 2007 costs $5.7 million, minus the admission tax. An overseas investment group, believed to be from Shanghai, offered to buy the tournament for $35 million to $70 million. International Management Group, which owns 50 percent of the Pacific Life Open, wants to accept the deal because the tournament has lost money since 2002 due to the annual $3.9 million debt service the tournament pays on the mortgage. Indian Wells and PM Sports officials are in negotiations on how to alleviate the situation. The city is considering purchasing some land from PM Sports and creating additional parking. Roche said the tournament is integral to the Coachella Valley's tourism industry. About 280,000 people attended the tournament last year. City Council members unanimously voted 3-0 with Mayor Ed Monarch absent Thursday to add the proposition to the ballot. PM Sports president Ray Moore, when asked about the vote, said "No comment." Ticket prices vary, depending on the packages available. Prices can range from $600 to $6,000. Indian Wells received $426,500 in admission taxes during the 2004-05 fiscal year, which ended in June. The new admission tax could go into effect in 2007 at the earliest, and officials estimate it could bring in as much as $896,183 if the tax is increased to 10 percent. "The city has done a good thing in passing it," Mayor Pro-Tem Conrad Negron said during Thursday's council meeting. "It's a sound business decision." The extra money raised will go into the city's general fund and also be used toward the city's police and fire departments, said City Manager Greg Johnson, who thinks the increased admission tax will help reimburse the city with some of the money spent on the tournament. How much city departments stand to receive has not been determined. "It's simply a way in which we can capture some of our general fund dollars we have taken to keep the tournament here," Roche said. "The admission tax is a way to help repay our general fund." "The key with this tax is it's mostly on out-of-towners who come to our area to enjoy tennis, so it really isn't going to be a burden on our local residents," Roche said. "We're very sensitive that we don't put an additional burden on our residents." Charlie Wheat of Indian Wells isn't convinced the tax increase is necessary, and thinks any money should be used to support the residents instead of the tennis tournament. "The city's money in the general fund is being used for a purpose that's not right," he said. THE PLAYERS Indian Wells: City where the Pacific Life Open is held. City officials want to keep the tournament in the Coachella Valley because it's integral to the local tourism industry.
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