Philippoussis career in balance

The 30-year-old has been ruled out of the Australian Open after tearing the lateral meniscus in his right knee.

Philippoussis said he would "definitely" return to action, despite admitting "they won't know the extent of the tear until they get in there".

However, Hopman Cup doctor Hamish Osborne warned the prognosis "could be four weeks, it could be never".

Philippoussis, who was hoping for an Australian Open wild card, was forced to pull out of the event on Tuesday after suffering the injury while trailing 4-1 in the first set to France's Jerome Haehnel.

He suffered the injury with Haehnel a point away from taking a 3-1 lead.

After taking time out for treatment Philippoussis attempted to play on but after being broken for 4-1 he decided to retire.

This injury is the latest in a series of problems Philippoussis has had to deal with in the last few years.

Although Philippoussis has had three previous knee operations, it is the first time the 2003 Wimbledon finalist has had surgery to his right knee.

"I went out for a wide one and it just buckled, I knew I did something bad straight away," he added. "It was a freak thing that happened.

"It is disappointing, but what can you do? This is another minor setback and something I am going to deal with.

"It is the only thing I can do, it is the only thing I want to do, it's as simple as that.

"People used to be thinking about retiring at 30, but Andre Agassi has shown that if you stay physically strong you can keep going."