Melbourne, May 31 Former Australian tennis star Mark Philippoussis is facing financial collapse, with creditors saying that he has stopped paying the mortgage on his Williamstown home in bayside Melbourne.

The 32-year-old former tennis star has told a Melbourne newspaper that he is going through the toughest time of his life as he faces a 1.3 million dollar legal battle.

"Money came in left, right and centre; you just thought that's how it was for everyone and that's how it will always be," The Age quoted Philippoussis, as saying.

The one-time Davis Cup player earned more than eight million dollar on the court and millions more in sponsorships, but is being sued for failing to pay the mortgage on his Williamstown home which he shares with mother Rossana.

The Wimbledon and US Open runner-up vowed to fight his way out of debt.e says a lot of people are going through tough times at the moment and he is one of them.

"I've just got to take it on the chin and deal with it. It's the toughest time of my life right now, but it's also the best time because I've woken up to so many things in my life," Philippoussis said.

"When I get back up from this I'll appreciate so many things so much more. I've fallen down and I'll get back up. This is how it is. It's life," he added. (ANI)