Philippoussis Drops Out Of BNP Paribas Open

As KESQ.com first reported on Monday, the wild cards were announced for the BNP Paribas Open, which take place beginning next week in Indian Wells

Twenty-four hours later, 1999 champion Mark Philippoussis announced he would not be returning.

The BNP Paribas was seen as more than a physical return for Philippoussis.

Plagued by injuries, the Australian dropped tennis in 2006. The following year, he tried again, playing the Hopman Cup, but a new knee injury forced him to leave the court, again.

Philippoussis then swapped the tennis courts for TV analysis. Mounting medical bills caused him financial problems; however, and he declared bankruptcy.

Now at the age of 34, the Australian had faced the prospect of returning to the court that gave him a championship in 1999: Indian Wells.

Instead, ESPN reports the Aussie will be competing in a senior event in Zurich, Switzerland, as part of his comeback, making him unavailable for Indian Wells.