Nikolaos Philippousis, the father of Australian former tennis pro Mark Philippoussis, has been arrested in the United States on child molestation charges.
The 68-year-old was arrested at his home in San Diego, where he works as a tennis coach.
In a statement, Lieutenant Greg Rylaarsdam of the San Diego Sheriff’s Department said Philippoussis was charged over “multiple counts of lewd and lascivious acts with two minor victims.”
The alleged victims had taken private lessons from Philippoussis.
Detectives from @SDSheriff Child Abuse Unit looking for more victims in a molestation case in the North County. Call (858) 974-2310. pic.twitter.com/5ZpJRGqOVb
— San Diego Sheriff (@SDSheriff) July 25, 2017
The investigation is ongoing, and San Diego Sheriff Bill Gore said authorities were seeking “more victims” of the alleged abuse.
A US-based journalist reports that Philippoussis is being held on bail equivalent to over AU $3 million.
Nick Philippoussis played an important role at varying points in his son’s career, and acted as both his manager and coach.
Mark Philippoussis reached an international men’s singles ranking of #8, and made it to two Grand Slam finals. He lost to Pat Rafter in the US Open final in 1998, and to Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2003.
