Lleyton Hewitt wouldn't mind some Australian Open help for former rival Mark Philippoussis, now reduced to playing on the senior circuit at age 30.

2005 Australian Open finalist Hewitt says he would support a wildcard lifeline which could allow the Scud to take a place in the draw at Melbourne Park in January.

"I'm sure Tennis Australia will make the right decision," said Hewitt of a player now moving out of the Top 500 on the ATP. "It's a different situation with Flip, considering what he's achieved in the game. It should probably all be taken into account. "But it's not my concern really," added Hewitt.

Two-time Grand Slam finalist Philippoussis, who turns 31 next month, has all but dropped from the tennis radar. The former No. 8 was last spotted on court being helped off on January 2 at the Hopman Cup in Perth after injuring his knee in the fifth game of a match against Frenchman Jerome Haehnel.

A few days later, he underwent surgery in Sydney and vanished from the game. With his made-for-television dating reality series, "Age of Love" now a memory, a return to the sport cannot be ruled out.

And the new Tennis Australia hard line about wild cards is not expected to do any potential favors for the Las Vegas-based Australian, whose possible return remains well over the odds.

Under tough guidelines, wild card entries must be earned on merit - and that means winning in a series of December playoffs.

"It really depends on how much he has trained, what he wants for himself, how many matches he may have under his belt," said Hewitt.