Tennis: Philippoussis in Davis Cup row

AUSTRALIA'S Davis Cup hopes were in turmoil yesterday, with Pat Rafter and Todd Woodbridge both doubtful through illness and Mark Philippoussis boycotting the team until the captain, John Newcombe, publicly apologises to him.

Philippoussis said he wants Newcombe to admit that he and coach Tony Roche refused his pleas for help when he was struggling for form when his father had cancer late last year.

With Australia preparing for the world group first round tie against Zimbabwe in Mildura on Friday, Philippoussis said he felt bitterly let down. "Why can't he [Newcombe] say: 'That's what we did to Mark and we understand his frustration'," he said.