The Scud’s dad arrested on alleged child-sex charges

The father of retired Australian tennis star Mark Philippoussis has been arrested in the United States.

According to records from the San Diego County Sheriff’s department, 68-year-old Nikolaos Philippoussis was arrested at his Mira Mesa home amid allegations of child-sex abuse.

Working as a personal tennis coach it is alleged there are multiple counts of lewd and lascivious behaviour, relating to two minors he coached.

The department posted on social media asking for anyone with information to come forward, in the belief there may be more victims.

Nick was a coach to his star-player son during his career, reaching world number eight, and winning two Davis Cup titles and making the US Open and Wimbledon finals. 

Nick, a former banker and soccer goalkeeper introduced Mark to the game when he was just six.

Known as The Scud, Mark turned pro in 1994 but parted ways with his father as coach in 2006 to revive his career.

Injury prompted the now 40-year-old Mark, below, to under-go several bouts of surgery to his knee.

Bail for Nick has been set at US$2.5 million (AU$3.15 million) and the investigation is ongoing.

Are you shocked at this news? Did you follow The Scud’s career and remember his father?