Mark Philippoussis How Love Saved Me

She tamed his bad boy ways, now the Aussie tennis champ is leaning on his devoted wife Silvana during his dad’s shocking sexual assault trial.

- Karleigh Smith

With his father under armed guard in hospital for a month and accused of multiple counts of child sexual assault, Australian tennis star Mark Philippoussis is enduring what must undoubtedly be the most difficult time in his life.

But those close to the former tennis bad boy, 41, say his marriage to Silvana Lovin, 32, is stronger than ever, and they insist his wife has made him a better and stronger man as he faces one of his greatest challenges yet.

Mark and Silvana – who were devastated when his beloved father was arrested and charged with 14 counts of child sexual abuse of nine-year-old twin girls in June – have been inseparable as the court case against the longtime tennis coach drags on.

Nick, who has been in custody since his arrest, was last week revealed to be sick in a San Diego hospital when he failed to show at the North County Superior Court for a remittance hearing ahead of his trial next year.

His defence lawyer Ryan Tegnelia told Woman’s Day Mark has chosen not to disclose why his father is receiving care.

“It’s up to Nick’s son if he wants to tell people,” he says.

“I can say he’s been in hospital for just over three weeks but can’t comment any further.”