It’s been a tough year for The Scud.
But 41-year-old Mark Philippoussis cut a relaxed figure as he arrived in Australia with his glamorous wife Silvana and their three-year-old son on Monday.
The tennis great has had a tough time of late after his father Nikolaos ‘Nick’ Philippoussis, 68, faces child-sex charges in California.
Some much needed R&R! Mark Philippoussis arrives back in Australia with his family for Christmas … after his father Nick pleads ‘not guilty’ to child sex charges
In photographs posted to the Instagram account by the tennis superstar’s wife, Silvana, 33, the young family looked content on their Virgin Australia flight back home from the U.S.
In one of the images, the sportsman and the Romanian-born beauty were smiling as their son plays on one the plane’s tables.
The model seemed overjoyed to be spending Christmas in the land of Oz.
‘Australia!!! Feels so good to be back! Thank you for being us home in smooth style,’ the brunette beauty posted, before adding the playful hashtags #butfirstchampagne #stillcallaustraliahome #virginaustralia #home #travelinstyle
Home bound: The tennis superstar’s wife, Silvana, and their three-year-old son, Nick, are looking forward to Christmas time down under
Holiday time: The couple’s three-year-old son, Nick, enjoyed the flight back to Australia for the Christmas holidays
The couple have been tight-lipped since the arrest of the Grand Slam winner’s father Nikolaos ‘Nick’ Philippoussis, 68, by Californian authorities on child molestation charges in July.
The former tennis coach – who is an Australian citizen – pleaded not guilty to 14 counts of sex offences against minors, which included two counts of sex acts with a child 10-years-old or younger.
In July, Californian judge David Danielsen agreed to raise bail on Philippoussis from AUD$3.1 million to AUD$11.5million.
Turbulent times: The Scud and his family have had a rough year after his father Nikolaos ‘Nick’ Philippoussis, 68, was arrested in California on child sex charges
In November, it was reported the 68-year-old has been moved from a San Diego jail to a hospital with a lawyer for the accused refusing to comment on the medical condition which prompted the transfer.
He is scheduled back in court in January next year.
Despite dealing with the matter privately, it is thought the hunky tennis star’s wife Silvana has been a rock in difficult times.
Taking to Instagram in August, Silvana posted a throwback of the couple’s wedding to celebrate their fourth anniversary together, calling Mark, ‘the love of her life,’ in a touching tribute.
‘Happy fourth anniversary to THE love of my life. I love you more than you could ever know,’ the mother-of-one wrote.
She added she was proud of her husband for the man he was and was becoming.
‘I’m so proud of the man you are and the man you’re growing into…Love you forever my heart.
Supportive: It’s thought the tennis ace’s wife, Silvana, 33, has been a rock while the family deal with the allegations