The biggest news during the past week from the WTA tennis world was Lindsay Davenport’s decision to make her singles comeback official by entering the Commonwealth Bank Tennis Classic in Bali.
Today’s Open Forum Friday discussion:
Now that Lindsay Davenport has announced her desire to return to professional tennis, do you think that she will play a few tournaments, pack her bags for good, and return home or will she again return to the top of the women’s game?
A similar question was submitted by Vicki, one of Lindsay’s biggest cheerleaders here at On the Baseline.
If I had to pick whether I thought Kim Clijsters or Lindsay Davenport would have returned first to the Tour after motherhood, my choice would have been Clijsters, because Davenport seemed fairly emphatic that she was not interested in ever playing pro tennis again.
After over a decade on Tour, all Davenport needed was nine months off to remind her why she started playing tennis in the first place – her love of the game. That love was enough to propel her back after an injury-plagued season and the birth of her first child.
I believe Davenport will be able to succeed in this second phase of her career.
Since her marriage, Davenport has had in the back of her mind how wonderful it would be to start a family, and when she found herself battling shoulder and back injuries for most of the 2006 season, it is not hard to see why she called it quits as soon as she got pregnant.
But now, Lindsay has discovered that she can have her cake – and eat it too. With little Jagger on the sidelines and Jon cheering her on, a refreshed and rejuvenated Davenport will be returning this fall.
Like Hingis, she has nothing prove. Her “legacy” won’t be tarnished by an ill-fated return; her comeback might even help her shed the lingering persona of being one of tennis’ greatest underachievers.
As for her form, Lindsay never was the greatest mover in the game, so any remaining fitness issues caused by her recent pregnancy may not have an effect. Her blistering groundstrokes were her bread-and-butter shot, and a few weeks of hitting practice should whip her timing right back into shape.
Davenport’s strong suit was her power game, and that led her to big wins over many players who are now sitting at the top of the rankings. The competition at the top now is not much different or more challenging; world No. 3 Jelena Jankovic has never even beaten Davenport.
Playing the Olympics is definitely a feasible goal, especially with the United States’ hopes for gold residing with the ofttimes injured Williams sisters. Winning two gold medals over a span of a decade would be a feat to remember.
It is too early to tell how long Davenport will remain in action, but if she returns with the reckless abandonment we saw in 2005, the former world number one might be here to stay for a while.
What do the rest of you think? Is this a short-term dream, or the fulfillment of a stellar career? And dare we even think of the possibility of a fourth Grand Slam title?
Everyone, thanks for participating and have a great weekend!
its just great to see lindsay davenport back im really excited to watch her in bali
I just think that lindsay is giong to comeback fully on the road.
Now she has a family, and can play relax, not worring about bieng in 30s, not having a child…
i think that her ages would be not a problem.
just think about merlene ottey, still in 47 of ages, she could run with girls of 20…
I’m totaly sure that she will make it!
The most important thing she really wants to be on court. And that we could enjoy again with her.
And dont get injured… i’ll touch wood
I doubt she’ll do much of anything important. She’s preserving herself for Beijing in 08 and I don’t blame her. She and Mary Pierce both want to end out with an Olympic medal, and god bless I say.
Yes I am guilty as charged about being Lindsay’s cheerleader on on the baseline and very proud to be. I have to say I agree with yon on th off question.
A bit of trivia for everyone: No tennis player has every won two gold medals at the Olympics.
I would love to see Lindsay be the first
I hope how ever long Lindsay decides to keep on playing when she does finally call it a day she does it on her terms and has no regrets and has a happy after tennis life .
Good point Vicki – and that is ultimately the bottom line for all players. Ending a career on your own terms, not because of injuries, with no regrets is the best way to call it quits for any player.