[flip_fan]

I am doubtful about Mark's chances of returning to tennis but in typical fashion Mark is already popping up in various events.

Mark will participate in the Aussie Millions Poker event on Monday at Crown Casino. He will be at the Nintendo stand on Tuesday at the Australian Open to promote the Wii Championships. The daily winner gets a chance to play against Mark in the final on Jan 27.

There has only been speculation Mark will appear on Dancing with the Stars... this is unconfirmed, but it is a possibility. Alicia Molik and Todd Woodbrige have given it ago and apparently the gruelling 8-10hr DAILY training is a big motivation for Mark to help his fitness. If this turns out to be true the show goes to air live around February 20.

I will be at the Open from 14-18 and will not be able to post any updates... hopefully I will come back with some photos of Mark to show.

 

[flip_fan]

Aussie Millions celeb poker yesterday...

 

[swedes_rule]

Hi Jill
So I finally joined MTF...
I see you're the main person that updates the Mark section though It's all a bit sad, watching all my favourites get injured and retire.....
Anyway - just wanting to brag about getting to see Mark at the Nintendo thing a bit.. but I don't think anyone else will read it and there's no point bragging to the person who was there with me :lol:

 

[flip_fan]

lol. MTF is turning into a waste of space and energy...ppl seem to lurk this forum but hardly post, so unless there's some major Mark news i can't be bothered updating things or posting our great time meeting Mark recently.

If someone had shown some interest or asked about it i would've... but meh!

 

[aussie ace]

oh...i'm interested!!
i was going to go but i couldn't get it off work...
did you get close to him... or did you just have to admire from a distance... ha ha...
did he say anything about his future?

 

[swedes_rule]

We got VERY close :lol:
here is my pic with him - he was REALLY sweet

 

[flip_fan]

I've uploaded some photos on my site and flickr.. here's a couple...

It was a great day.. we were within a couple of metres from him for about an hour whilst he did interviews. Considering we might never get another opportunity like that again I'm sure i can speak for Christina when i say it was nice to go up to him and say hello and wish him well and get a photo. He was very relaxed in his interviews and as usual signed and posed for every fan who approached him.

As for the future... he's still being coy about it to the media. I truly think he has no idea just yet - he's waiting to see what condition he can get his knee in once he's off the crutches. It will come down to his mental state more so then physical... he looked in pretty good shape, but maybe after spending so much time in Melbourne with his family and now he's got an Australian girlfriend he might like the idea of settling back home and moving on to other things.

 

[aussie ace]

wow..u were close!! jealous! does he look much different in real life than he does in the photos?? ... i was talking to someone who had meet him before and they said he looked way different!

about the new girlfriend...r they offical or is it just rumours? haven't heard any direct statements or anything about them...

 

[flip_fan]

I would say Mark looks better in person then in photos... that's just my opinion... he's mostly looks awkward/uncomfortable in front of a camera.

As for new girl Siobhan, they are definitely dating, we won't get an official statement though... more like tabloid pics will "officially" confirm it. It was reported she's moving to Melbourne... so obviously feelings are pretty strong.

 

[aussie ace]

sure she is...that's pretty crazy!! i think its a cute relationship... just please don't get enagaged after a month...hate that stuff!!
any pics of them yet?

 

[flip_fan]

nope... they are keeping it low profile... reportedly seen dining out on valentines day looking "besotted" with eachother, but no pics have surfaced.

It's nice to hear things are going well, i agree quick engagements aren't good... but at least she's 24 and if things get serious she'll be ready for it.. unlike alexis.

 

[flip_fan]

Some good news... Mark will feature on the new Top Spin 3 video game... it will be released later this year on xbox, playstation, wii and nintedo DS! Cant wait to see the graphics and hopefully because Mark has some spare time he'll be involved in the promotional campaign.

2K Sports Reveals Renowned Lineup of Current and Legendary Stars for Top Spin 3

Tennis greats get back in the game, marking a first for next-generation consoles

NEW YORK — 2K Sports, the sports publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), is pleased to announce the all-star player lineup for Top Spin 3, the industry's most realistic and action-packed tennis video game experience. The star-studded lineup features today's sensations, including Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova, as well as Boris Becker, Bjorn Borg and Monica Seles, three of the sport's legendary players. Top Spin 3 marks the first time these iconic pros have appeared in a next-generation video game.

Created by PAM Development, a 2K studio, Top Spin 3 is slated for a spring 2008 release for Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system, Wii(TM) home video game system, and Nintendo DS(TM).

"With Top Spin 3, we wanted to give gamers the choice to play with their favorite tennis players, as well as classic legends, an option that no other tennis game is offering," said Chris Snyder, Director of Marketing for 2K Sports. "Boris Becker, Bjorn Borg and Monica Seles have given the game of tennis such great history, and we are excited to have them join the current roster of professionals in the most realistic tennis video game to date."

The Top Spin 3 player lineup includes the following:

-- Mario Ancic

-- Tomas Berdych

-- James Blake

-- Roger Federer

-- Tommy Haas

-- Justine Henin

-- Svetlana Kuznetsova

-- Amelie Mauresmo

-- Gael Monfils

-- Andy Murray

-- Rafael Nadal*

-- David Nalbandian

-- Mark Philippoussis

-- Andy Rod****

-- Maria Sharapova

-- Nicole Vaidisova

-- Caroline Wozniacki

Classic legends**

-- Boris Becker

-- Bjorn Borg

-- Monica Seles

Top Spin 3 offers the most authentic gameplay and features, including signature player animations and expressions, weather changes and situation-specific behaviors, along with revamped audio with enhanced crowd reaction.

Fans will also have the opportunity to play on more than 40 prestigious and visually stunning venues from around the world such as Roland Garros in Paris (French Open) and Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne (Australian Open). Adding to the immersive gameplay experience, fans can utilize a new and innovative Player Creator to customize their own unique tennis stars with free-form body sculpting, makeup and tattoos. Competitive players will also be able to create matches online and test their skills against friends or other ranked players around the world. For more information on Top Spin 3, visit www.topspin3thegame.com.

 

[flip_fan]

Last day and only chance to send a message to Mark. He will receive these messages and read them. At this stage it seems unlikely he will be able to return to the tour, no matter how much he'd love to.. so if you want to send him a little msg of goodluck or thanks email it to [email protected].

They will be collected and sent to Mark very soon.

 

[Matchu]

I read an article not too long ago where Mark said he wanted to give it another go, One last good result at a tournament and he said that his ideal tournament victory would be a third davis cup title. So maybe he is trying to comeback. He is 31 but he hasnt played reguarly for a while so take that into account.

 

[flip_fan]

It all seems highly unlikely he could comeback... he should be off his crutches either now or within the next week or so. It's all a mystery and I don't think Mark even knows. Even if his knee is 100%, he hasn't played a slam since US Open 2006. He'll have a protected ranking, but how he could pull his game together and remain injury free seems like a mission impossible at this stage.

Hopefully by the end of the month there will be a clearer statement about his intentions.

 

[flip_fan]

For the aussies Mark will be in the celebrity challenge GP race this weekend. It should be shown during the coverage on ch10 sat&sun from 10am-5pm. Mark is also expected to go to the GP ball with new partner Siobhan Parekh on Friday.

 

[aussie ace]

is marks race on the sat or sunday??

oh and is it too late to send mark a msg? i did orginally send one but i have a feeling it didn't go through...

 

[flip_fan]

not sure what day, if i find out i will let you know.

But according to the schedule on the website

Celeb Race 1 is on saturday at 12.50 - 1.05pm
Celeb Race 2 is on sunday at 12. 30 - 12. 45 followed by the celebrity parade

Send it to val from scudzone: [email protected], there may be a chance she hasn't sent them off yet.

 

[L James]

So is Mark coming back? I assume no official retirement announcement means he's going to give it a go?

 

[flip_fan]

I'd say there may be an official statement by the end of April.. he's only just got off his crutches and is still limping apparently.

He has already said he'd love to play again, but it's not in his control. Once he starts full training, I think he'll know fairly quickly if his body can handle the pressure or not.