New York - Former US Open finalist Mark Philippoussis says he's finally ready to aim for a return to the ATP after nine months out following another knee surgery. But the Australian who turns 31 in November won't make his move until January, when he hopes to somehow play the Australian Open, where he last won a match in 2004.
2007 has been a busy year for Philippoussis, who starred in a poorly-received TV dating show and is due to compete next month in a seniors event.
But the 1998 New York finalist and 2003 Wimbledon runner-up insists he's determined to make it back to the big-time.
To that end he's begun working again with Andre Agassi's longtime fitness trainer Gil Reyes in Las Vegas with an eye towards playing a few events at the start of the year before hopefully receiving a Melbourne Open entry through a wild card.
"I love the sport of tennis. I miss the game. In my heart, I do believe I can do it," Philippoussis said. "To make that happen, I need to work hard. It's going to be a long, long way back."
He currently stands 457th in the rankings after once achieving ninth more than eight years ago. Philippoussis rated his repaired knee at 100 percent.
"What I'd love to do is start playing a couple of small events at the end of the year, get match fit and concentrate on getting back next year, hopefully at the Australian."
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NOTEBOOK: Jankovic still keen to hit the books =
New York - World number three Serb Jelena Jankovic remains determined to keep up her university studies as she soars in the elite level of the WTA.
The US Open quarter-finalist, due to play next week in Bali, has been carting her schoolbooks around the world but has so far found them just so much excess baggage.
"I brought them with me, I think it's like 10 kilos of books. Now that I lost (to Venus Williams) I'll have time to prepare my exams.
"When I go back to Serbia I'll make an appointment when I'm ready to catch up and do some of the work."
Jankovic was almost ready to quit the game in 2006 after a ten-loss start to the season. In that bleak period of doubt, her studies gave her motivation.
"It's very important for me to have the education besides being a professional athlete and being at the top of the game," she said. "It's very important for me to finish (university)."
