Lindsay Davenport wins singles title in return to pro tour
New mom Lindsay Davenport has returned to the WTA Tour with a vengeance, and in record-setting fashion. With a world ranking of #234, Lindsay today won the Commonwealth Bank Tennis Classic in Bali, becoming the lowest-ranked player to capture a singles title this season and the fourth-lowest in history. Lindsay announced her retirement from pro tennis in December shortly after learning she was expecting her first child; Following the birth of son Jagger Jonathan in June, the former world #1 had a change of heart and began training in earnest for her return to the court. Said Lindsay,
It’s my first tournament back and I was unsure how I would respond physically. It’s crazy. Maybe the pregnancy gave me some magical powers, I don’t know.
Given her low ranking and the fact that she is only 3-months removed from a C-section, many thought that Lindsay’s chances in Bali were slim — But she had to beat the tournament’s #1 and #2 seeds to capture the title, so the win was no fluke. Still, even Lindsay seemed a little bewildered by the early success.
It’s just overwhelming and exciting. I certainly exceeded my expectations in how I’d play. I think a lot of it just had to do with being excited to be back out there and being fresh to play. But I would have never expected this to happen so soon, so I’m a little bit in shock.
Jagger is the first child for Lindsay and her husband Jonathan Leach. For an additional image of Jagger on the court with his mom after her big win, view this slideshow.
Source: WTA
