SYDNEY, Australia -- Big-serving Mark Philippoussis has vowed not to play again for Australia in the Davis Cup until team captain John Newcombe makes a public apology to him, according to a newspaper report on Tuesday.

Philippoussis accused Newcombe and Australia Davis Cup coach Tony Roche of refusing to help him when his form slumped last year on learning his father had cancer.

"Why can't he (Newcombe) say that's what we did to Mark and we understand his frustration," the world No. 16 told Melbourne's Herald-Sun newspaper.

"Why not? What has he got to hide, because he knows he's wrong. It's as simple as that," Philippoussis added.

"I felt let down and frustrated. People said they would be there for me when I needed them the most and they weren't.

THE 21-YEAR-OLD PHILIPPOUSSIS made himself unavailable for Australia's World Group first-round home tie against Zimbabwe that starts on Friday in Mildura, a country town 400 km (250 miles) northwest of Melbourne.

His father, Nick, has since been told his cancer is in remission, the paper reported.

"I still want to play Davis Cup. I would be in Mildura if I didn't feel so let down," Philippoussis said.

"I love Davis Cup, I love the feeling, people yelling for you. It's just that I have so much frustration and disappointment inside me."

Responding to the newspaper report, Newcombe said he had nothing to apologize for, but he declined to go into detail.

"YOU CAN ONLY APOLOGIZE if you've got something to apologize for," the former Wimbledon champion said. "It doesn't benefit anyone to be carrying on a discussion on this in the media."

Already missing Philippoussis for the tie against Zimbabwe, Australia could be without number one singles player and world number four Pat Rafter, who is struggling to overcome a virus.

Australia reached the Davis Cup semifinals last September before being beaten by United States, runners-up to eventual winners Sweden.