Scud to miss Oz Open

The former Wimbledon and U.S. Open finalist had been hoping to earn a place in the first grand slam of 2008 by winning this week's wildcard playoff tournament in Melbourne.

The 31-year-old had safely made it through to the quarter-finals but was forced to pull out on Tuesday after hurting his right knee in an earlier match.

Philippoussis released a statement confirming he would undergo immediate surgery to fix a cartilage tear but still hoped to make a comeback later in the year.

"I am bitterly disappointed because I really wanted to play in Australia this summer," he said.

"They tell me it can be fixed. My initial reaction is I want to get the surgery done and then work on getting back on the court as soon as I can."

Philippoussis played a pivotal role in helping Australia win the Davis Cup in 1999 and 2003 but is often remembered as one of the best players in recent times never to win a grand slam.

The big-serving Australian burst on to the scene in 1996 when he beat then world number one Pete Sampras at Melbourne Park but injuries and loss of form combined to stop him from fulfilling his enormous potential.

He made the final of the U.S. Open in 1998 but did not make it past the quarter-finals of any of the four majors again until 2003, when he rediscovered his form to reach the final at Wimbledon.

Philippoussis reached a career-high ranking of eight in April 1999 but his progress was hampered by three separate knee operations, the last of which sidelined him for nearly the whole of 2007.

His latest injury has already raised speculation that his career could be drawing to a close with his former Davis Cup captain John Newcombe saying he doubted he could make it back this time.

"I think I'm the same as everyone that says it would be lovely to see him do it but you've got to wonder... there's been too many times that he's got injured," Newcombe said.