NBC

 

With his combination of stunning good looks, extraordinary success and easy charm, tennis superstar Mark Phillippoussis may very well be the most eligible bachelor in America.

Born in 1976 in Melbourne, Australia, Mark's beginnings were inauspicious. "I came from nothing," he says in describing his formative years. In fact, his father, who dedicated his life to his son's development took a second job driving taxis at night to support his son's fledgling career. Often, he would spend several days' salary on tennis apparel for his son.

His struggles were short lived, however, as Mark's aggressive style of play soon helped him dominate Australian tennis and burst onto the international scene. By 1999 Mark had cracked the top ten in the world. Mark became a household name and premier target for sponsors almost overnight.

Mark turned professional in 1994. The next year, at the age of 19, he was the youngest player in the history of the sport to end the year in the top 50. In 1996, he upset Pete Sampras in the Australian Open and in 2003 Mark advanced to the final at Wimbledon to face Roger Federer.

A self-professed "adrenaline junkie," Mark has a penchant for all things fast-horses, planes, motorcycles and cars. He's an avid surfer and sky diver! And, he's even on route to get his pilot's license.

Mark really appreciates the simplicity of life- being outdoors, taking surfing trips and really enjoying living. In fact, one of his fondest memories is of a surf trip he took by himself to Costa Rica. He raves about the outdoor showers and the rustic setting.

All of Mark's success hasn't insulated him from the pitfalls of love. The lifestyle thrust upon him by his success—the travel, the instability—has prevented him from solidifying a recent relationship.

The media hasn't helped, often insinuating that he's dating any number of well-known celebrities. "I'm often the last to know whom I'm dating," Mark jokes about press speculation.

The press has overlooked the fact that Mark is currently in a healthy, committed relationship—with his pet Rottweiler. "It's the perfect relationship," he claims, "she doesn't ask where I've been and she's always there for me."

Mark's ready for all of that to change. He has found a home in Las Vegas, Nevada and is at a turning point in his life. For the first time, Mark feels that he has achieved enough stability to invite someone into his life and into his heart.