First-timers just a step away from Nirvana

Ever since he dared to end the reign of seven-time champion Pete Sampras in five spectacular sets in the fourth round of Wimbledon two years ago, Federer has been touted as the American’s heir apparent.

But it has taken the 21-year-old, arguably the most talented player on the ATP Tour yet to win a Grand Slam, two frustrating years to finally have a chance of fulfilling his immense potential.

While Federer was climbing up the tennis ladder in 2001, Philippoussis was facing a totally different battle.

The Australian was told by doctors in New York that he would never play top flight tennis again after undergoing a third operation on his left knee in the space of 14 months.

Confined to a wheelchair for two months, the big-serving Philippoussis was determined that his career was not going to end with just one runner-up spot — in the 1998 US Open — against his name.

He hauled himself back on feet and began the long road back to reclaiming a career that had seen him achieve a career-high ranking of eighth in the world in 1999. ‘‘I’ve still got one match to play so nothing to get excited about,’’ he said. (Reuters)