Three-time Grand Slam Lindsay Davenport will step into new territory next week during the Sony Ericsson Championships.
Instead of competing on the court during the season-ending event, Davenport is headed for the broadcast booth.
Veteran sportscaster Barry MacKay will lead the commentary during the Championships on Tennis Channel in the United States and he will be joined by former No. 1 doubles player Corina Morariu, and making her debut in the network’s commentary box, former singles and doubles No. 1 Lindsay Davenport.
In joining Morariu, Davenport, who won the year-end championships’ singles title in 1999 as well as three doubles crowns at the event during her career, is reunited with her 1999 Wimbledon-championship doubles partner.
Former No. 1 Tracy Austin rounds out the team and will conduct pre and post-match interviews from the Khalifa International Tennis Complex in Doha.
World No.1 Jelena Jankovic, Roland Garros champion Ana Ivanovic, US Open champion Serena Williams, Roland Garros finalist Dinara Safina, Beijing Olympic Gold Medalist Elena Dementieva, former US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, Wimbledon champion Venus Williams, and Beijing Olympic Bronze Medalist Vera Zvonareva will compete in the singles event at the Doha Championships from November 4-9.
[...] same-day replay of the singles final. The Tennis Channel broadcast team will feature Barry Mackay, Lindsay Davenport in her network debut, Corina Morariu, and Tracy [...]
Wow, I never would have guessed that Lindsay would go this route – thought she would quietly retire to become a full-time mom.
Good for her — trying to segue into a new career.
I have heard great things about Lindsay as a commentator. This is not her first go at though she has commentated for the BBC at Wimbledon this year and for ESPN on the college tennis 2006 during her pregnancy lay off.
Vicki,
I have heard Lindsay do impromptu commentary before and I think she’ll do a great job. She is exceptionally well-spoken and will bring a fascinating level of experience to the booth . . . .especially as she will be commentating about her very familiar peers like Venus and Serena.
Is there anyone in Doha field that Lindsay hasn’t played?
Actually, Vicki, Lindsay has played every singles competitor and holds a winning record over each one except Serena.
Here are the head-to-head records:
Davenport leads Jankovic 4-2
Davenport leads Safina 2-1
S. Williams leads Davenport 10-4
Davenport leads Dementieva 11-5
Davenport leads Ivanovic 1-0
Davenport leads Zvonareva 6-0
Davenport leads Kuznetsova 3-2
Davenport leads V. Williams 14-13
I think it is safe to say that after playing the Williams sisters forty one times, she knows their games pretty well!
I keep on reading that Lindsay will do commentarting for this event but nothing about her retiring from playing in tournaments shes eligible for. Is she finished or just getting ready for the Austrailian Open. I hope she continues to play.
Steve,
Lindsay has not announced her plans for next season, but she might say something publicly during her commentary at Doha this week.