“We would always, just, for seven days in a row we’d have this cabbage pasta that ends up being one of my favourites but my mum calls it ‘poor people’s food’ because it’s so simple, it’s just cabbage with some spices and pasta,” he said, speaking of the shame he felt at the time
“I felt very much ashamed because they gave their dream for me and my responsibility was to look after them. I was in a dark place and had depression. There’s no greater pain in my heart than watching my loved ones suffer because of my actions.”
Philippoussis was later able to get his life back on track, and played in some matches on the Challenger and Champions circuits in 2010.
In 2015, he received a wildcard into the qualifying rounds of the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships – his first ATP Tour match in nine years – and lost his opening match, but was able to have some success in the doubles main-draw at the event, reaching the quarter-final alongside Ryan Harrison.
The Australian later admitted it wasn’t a comeback and was instead “just about playing one event”, and has not played on the pro tour since.