Two days before the start of the first tennis Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open in Melbourne, CNN’s chat show Talk Asia interviews one of that country's top players Mark Philippoussis. The show airs on 17 January at 8 pm with repeats on 18 January at 9 am, 5 pm on 19 January at 9 am and on 20 January at 6 pm.

Nicknamed Scud because of his blazing serves that thunder towards his opponents like missiles, Philipoussis talks about his passion for the sport. The show is hosted by Lorraine Hahn. The 27 year old discusses Australia’s victory at the Davis Cup last November: “You’re playing for your country, so you just want to go out there and give it your all.” Philippoussis also tells CNN how his previous knee injuries drove him to rethink his life and career: “I’ve changed my whole life around. I devoted my life for tennis instead of partying and I’m very happy.”

Philippoussis says his father is the driving force behind his career. He introducied him to the sport and became his coach when Philipoussis was six years old. “He has been with me from the start. We’ve been through many things together, positive and negative. Without him I definitely wouldn’t be where I am. My family is the number one thing in my life, not tennis.”