Molik mover in sponsor rankings

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ALICIA Moliks climb up the world tennis rankings and the contrasting tumble by Mark Philippoussis have been mirrored by their rise and fall in sponsorship potential.

Molik, who has moved into the world top 10, has risen to 33rd spot on the Sweeney Sports Survey of athletes considered worthy of sponsorship by Australians, which is topped by Ian Thorpe with fellow Olympic swimming champion Grant Hackett second.

Philippoussis, however, after a year of injuries and poor results has slumped to equal 65th, well below Davis Cup team-mate Lleyton Hewitt in third spot.

After Molik the biggest gainers were cricketer Shane Warne and retired swimmer Petria Thomas.

“Test cricketer Shane Warne has recovered from a severe downgrading in 2003-04 following a 12-month suspension for taking a banned substance,” the Sweeney survey said.

Warne moved from 50th to equal 27th on the list, “although recent media reports about alleged UK incidents may erode some of this gain”.

Adam Gilchrist (4th), Australian captain Ricky Ponting and his predecessor Steve Waugh (equal 5th), Glenn McGrath (10th), and Brett Lee (equal 11th) are the top cricketers on the list.

Others in the top 10 of the 18th summer edition of the Sweeney sponsorship report are Wallaby captain George Gregan (8th), golfer Greg Norman (9th) and retired tennis champ Pat Rafter (equal 5th).

The leading women in the survey are Cathy Freeman, surfer Layne Beachley and swimming champion Jodie Henry, who are all equal 11th and the only women in the top 20. Wheelchair racer Louise Sauvage is equal 22nd, golfer Karrie Webb is 24th, Molik 33rd and Thomas was equal 36th.

The report said results showed Australians appreciate fallen stars who lift their games but tend to downgrade the sponsorship value of sports stars who are out of the limelight temporarily because of injury.

“Whereas Molik has impressed Australians with a no-nonsense, hard-working approach to the game and an uncontroversial off-court life, Mark Philippoussis has been savaged following injury-hampered results in 2004 and perhaps the break in his relationship with singer Delta Goodrem,” it said.