Davenport seeks new Olympic dream

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-06-20 09:30

Some people watching Lindsay Davenport return to the tennis circuit with her newborn child Jagger in one hand and a tennis racquet in the other last year, had a question: Why?

But for the American former world No 1 and Olympic gold medalist who is dreaming of a repeat at the coming Beijing Games, it's more a case of 'why not?'

"It (the Beijing Olympics) was probably the first factor, the really, first positive thing that got me thinking about (returning)," Davenport said.

The 2008 Beijing Olympics was just over a year away, and the three-time Grand Slam champion wanted to be there.

Lindsay Davenport of US carries her baby Jagger after defeating Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia in the final match of the WTA Bali Open tournament in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Sept 16, 2007. REUTERS

"It was like I have 13 months until the Olympics," she said. "I figured that's a really long time. I think I can do that and be ready."

Davenport's love for the Olympics stretches back to her childhood, when she watched American gymnast Mary Lou Retton win gold in the all-around competition at the 1984 Games.

"My family is an Olympic family. Whenever the Olympics are on - winter, summer - when I was growing up it was on our TV all day long," she said. "I remember sitting there watching Mary Lou Retton win the gold medal live."

Davenport cites Australian 400m hurdler Jana Rawlinson, who won the world title less than a year after giving birth, and swimmer Darra Torres, who at 41 aims to swim in her fifth Olympics, as inspirations, together with British marathon great Paula Radcliffe.

Like this trio, Davenport's ambitions center on Beijing. To win a fourth Grand Slam seems far-fetched, but after winning Olympic gold in Atlanta 12 years ago and missing Athens in 2004 to concentrate on the US Open, she's in Games mode once again.

"It's important to balance both aspects, rather than be full-out on my tennis and not spend so much time caring for my son. But the Olympics have a great pull."

Gold at the 1996 Atlanta Games was the first major title Davenport won, and she went on to clinch the first of her Grand Slam titles two years later.

"It was the first big thing I won and a huge honor," the former Wimbledon, US Open and Australian Open champion said.

"When I won the US Open in 1998, it seemed to give me more validity as a player. Those two were certainly big turning points in my career and it's hard to compare them.

"I can't wait to go back in early August. It's been on the calendar for my family for a long time. My aspiration is to do my best to win any medal. I really don't care."

Since her comeback, Davenport has enjoyed tremendous success, including winning four titles and upsetting the-then world No 2 Ana Ivanovic (current world No 1) to reach the fourth round of the prestigious Sony Ericsson Open in March.

Besides the Olympics, Wimbledon and the US Open are the top tournaments on her schedule for 2008. (She did not compete at Roland Garros, which was won by Ivanovic.) Traveling with her son makes the tour more difficult for Davenport.

A recurring back problem forced her to retire from the quarterfinals at Indian Wells in March while Jagger took ill with a virus and had to be rushed to see the tournament doctor.

"I was stressed out of my mind, my back was killing me and I was yelling at my husband because my son had a fever," she said. "Things like that might happen to put tennis into perspective again. Any mother will say you go through weeks like that - it's part of being a parent. It makes you appreciate your priorities."

No matter how hard the going gets, Davenport believes the effort is all worth it, especially the elation the Olympics elicits.

"My best memory is winning the gold but I always think back to the opening ceremonies in '96. The United States was the last country to come out and I was with Mary Joe (Fernandez) and Monica (Seles), two of my best friends on the tour.

"It was a moment I'll never forget. We were so excited and giddy and, like, pure joy. Sitting there, we were all crying when Muhammad Ali lit the torch. I always kind of think back to that moment.

"I wish I could go back and feel the happiness that the three of us felt at that time."

Agencies - China Daily

(China Daily 06/20/2008 page10)