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He lost the U.S. Open to fellow Australian - and PEOPLE's Sexiest Athlete of 1997 - Patrick Rafter. But while he may have problems on center court, the angelically handsome, hard-serving Mark Philippoussis is an ace on the court of appeal. "He's definitely good-looking - tall, dark and handsome - and he's a nice guy," says USA Network tennis analyst Tracy Austin.
Girls show up by the dozens to watch the 22-year-old Melbourne-raised son of a Greek father and Italian mother practice near his Longboat Key, Fla., bachelor pad. And thousans more pay homage on Web sites. "He just has this incredible look," says Julie Sauer, 19, a New York University student who maintains her own Philippoussis Web page.
The 6'5" Philippoussis, who last summer ended a two-year romance with a French fashion model, isn't keen on formal dating. "I don't want to do the normal thing - pick up a girl, take her to a movie," he says. "You have to get dressed up, and I like wearing baggy clothing. I would rather take a girl out on my boat [a 21-ft. sport fisherman]." Women who go along for the ride should be careful their hearts don't go overboard. After all, Philippoussis sports a tattoo of Alexander the Great on his arm. "He was Greek," he says. "He was a conqueror, no matter what the odds. But at the same time, he was gracious and humble."
