Mark Philippoussis reserved the finest performance of his life for the biggest possible stage and unleashed it on Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero to secure Australia the 2003 Davis Cup title in five sets of high-drama in Melbourne. Team captain John Fitzgerald hailed the 27-year-old as a "national hero" after he battled through the pain barrier and drew on immense reserves of courage to win an incredible tussle. "Today's win was definitely the most important win of my tennis career, without a doubt," said Philippoussis. It was an astonishing victory, as the final 7-5 6-3 1-6 2-6 6-0 scoreline testified. It was also the culmination of 15 months of work and dedication for the Australian team after three disappointing seasons. When Ferrero had taken advantage of Philippoussis's injured shoulder and rallied from two sets down to force a deciding set, the entire Australian team had already given up hope. Lleyton Hewitt was warming up furiously in the changing rooms ready for what he expected to be a match with Carlos Moya to decide the destiny of the trophy. From looking a weary, beaten man, the Spaniard was now dictating the match having run through the second two sets conceding just three games. The rubber was now level, Ferrero had all the momentum and Philippoussis, in pain, felt the game slipping away. To try and break Ferrero's stride, Philippoussis took a bathroom break before returning for some intensive treatment on his shoulder. "There was no way I was going to pull out. I just kept telling myself take one point at a time, that's all I could do," said Philippoussis. "I was just thinking I don't care how bad your pec is, just put everything into this last set," he added. Still no-one imagined he could do it as Ferrero paced around menacingly at the back of the court. "I don't know what happened in the fifth," Philippoussis admitted. "I just thought `give the serve everything'. Then, when returning I thought `just chip and come in from everything'. He lost his rhythm." | 
