Indian Wells, 2 March 2011 | AP

Mark Philippoussis has withdrawn his request for a wildcard into qualifying for the Indian Wells Masters in California.

The 34-year-old, who won the 1999 tournament, was set to receive a wildcard into qualifying for the event, which gets underway on March 7.

However, tournament officials said on Tuesday the former world No.8, will be now compete in a senior event in Zurich instead.

The two-time Grand Slam runner-up last played at ATP level at the 2006 US Open, falling to David Nalbandian in the first round.

The unranked Philippoussis has only been sighted on the secondary Challenger circuit and veterans’ tour since undergoing a third round of serious knee surgery after the 2006 Hopman Cup in Perth.