Shoulder tear casts a shadow over Davis Cup victory

The joy of weekend victory over Spain for a 28th Australian Davis Cup trophy was slightly tempered by the need for a scan yesterday on the injured right shoulder of tennis hero Mark Philippoussis.

The Wimbledon finalist clinched the tie 3-1 for the hosts through his fighting, five-set win over Juan Carlos Ferrero on a specially laid grass court at Rod Laver Arena.

With less than six weeks left until the start of the 2004 season, Philippoussis was undergoing an MRI to diagnose the problem with his right shoulder, which plagued him on the way to victory.

"It feels like a little tear," said the 27-year-old, who went through knee injury hell and three surgeries just a few seasons ago and was told by doctors at one point when he was in a wheelchair that he could forget about professional tennis.

Philippoussis continues to marvel at exactly how he swept world No. 3 Ferrero away 6-0 in the fifth set of their rubber. He said that the joy of victory far surpassed what he felt in 1999 as saviour of the team in a Davis Cup championship over France in Nice.

"This easily surpasses Nice ... being at home and the circumstances. My shoulder started hurting in the middle of the second set. It just got worse and worse."

Yet physical niggles among the overjoyed squad of Philippoussis, Lleyton Hewitt and the over-30 but dangerous doubles kings Todd Woodbridge and Wayne Arthurs was washed away by a sip or two of victory champagne.

With the tennis season pausing only briefly, Hewitt was prepared to savour the moment of success for which he had devoted the second half of his season.

"This is a special moment for me," said the former world No. 1, now 18th after skipping ATP play after the US Open.

"I've not had the same year I did over the past two. I sacrificed a lot to play well in this Davis final. It's a good feeling to hold the trophy up."

Australian coach John Fitzgerald said that he hopes the victory can inspire more Australian youngsters to take up the game, as he himself was inspired three decades ago.

"This win is extremely important," said the skipper. "Some of my first tennis memories were of the 1973 final when Australia beat the US 5-0 in Cleveland. That remained in my memory and first got me thinking about playing for Australia. I know there are kids out there who will see this as an inspiration."