Cash clash over volley of love taunts

Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash and current Aussie star Mark Philippoussis are embroiled in an off-court battle over the former Neighbours beauty Delta Goodrem.

The row erupted after Cash publicly blamed a poor performance by Philippoussis in the Australian Open on the tennis ace's love life with Delta.

After an alleged 'string of foul-mouthed insults' from Philippoussis, Cash had threatened to go to the police to take out a restraining order.

He claimed the player had threatened him and given him cause to be concerned about being in the same locker room with him.

Philippoussis and 19-year-old Delta who, like Kylie Minogue, has blazed her way into the pop world, have formed a close friendship and have been seen walking hand in hand together in Melbourne. It was because of their relationship, said Cash, that Philippoussis lost his fourth-round match.

He went on to suggest that Delta had kept Philippoussis up all night.

'It looked like he was up all night doing whatever ... getting busy,' Cash said.

The public comments sent Philippoussis into a rage. He rang Cash and reprimanded him.

Later Cash said in a TV interview: 'I've had a lot of abuse hurled at me, rightly or wrongly.

'There have been arguments and fights, having been through a divorce.

'But I've never ever been abused and threatened like I was. I'm not prepared to suffer such a string of foulmouthed insults, not from anyone, least of all Mark Philippoussis, who I regard as the most blatant waster of talent in the current game of tennis.'

Delta, who has been fighting cancer, was said to be 'very hurt' by the claims.

Reports circulated in tennis circles that Cash was intending to take out a restraining order against Philippoussis because he feared for his safety. But last night Cash's manager, Jim Flaherty, said: 'Pat's letting it all die down.

'He won't be making any complaint to the police. That won't happen.'

Philippoussis is due to play in this week's Davis Cup in Australia and team coach Wally Masur said last night that the player would be mentally ready for his matches, despite the damaging row with Cash.

'He's over his fourth-round loss in the Open and the criticism it drew, notably from Cash,' said Masur.

'The good thing about Mark is he's a big boy and he's moved on and you'll see that tomorrow when he gets on the court.

'He's hitting the ball pretty well.'

It was not known last night whether Delta would support Philippoussis at the tie following the controversy that followed her appearances at the Australian Open.

Masur added: 'Obviously there was a day when Mark received some criticism and he wasn't overly happy about that.

'He was disappointed but he's moved on and I was really happy with his last three days on the court.'

As for Cash, Mr Masur said the former Wimbledon star would always be controversial.

'He's got his own road and he's travelling that way.

'He makes his decisions, he'll live by them.

'At the end of the day we're all grown men and you've got to take these things on board and move on.'