Former tennis ace Mark Philippoussis has cheated death while surfing in wild seas off Victoria’s southwest coast.

The Scud was surfing off Bells Beach when he got into trouble in the turbulent waters before being dragged into a sea cave while his board was smashed in half, Channel 9 said tonight.

Philippoussis’ ordeal began when he paddled out of Winki Pop beach, between Bells Beach and Torquay, on the Surf Coast, southwest of Melbourne, this morning.

Witnesses told the Nine the former top 10 player suffered hip and feet injuries after being swept into the area known as The Valley, while being battered by huge waves.

Witness Steve Ryan said he told Philippoussis not to surf out of Winki but to head closer to Bells Beach. (news)