Davenport Upbeat About Open Despite Injury
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday January 17, 2004
Lindsay Davenport remains optimistic about taking her place in what is an already badly depleted women's field at the Australian Open despite a shoulder injury that forced her to withdraw from her semi-final at the adidas International against Justine Henin-Hardenne.
Davenport felt tightness in the shoulder before her quarter-final victory over Elena Dementieva on Wednesday and aggravated the injury during the match. ``After waking up this morning it just felt pretty painful and extremely tight," she said.
Davenport said she would request to play her first round match against Ruxandra Dragomir Ilie on Tuesday, having been told by medical staff that ``three to four days rest will make a huge difference". However, she is not expecting any favours from Australian Open organisers.
``I'll ask, but I'm sure there's a lot of players on different sides of the draw wanting a lot of different things," Davenport said.
The injury is a disappointing setback for the 27-year-old American who has steadily regained her form and fitness after a frustrating run of injuries. She said it was probably the result of having played so many matches after a long break. ``Unfortunately all the matches I played at Perth [in the Hopman Cup] and here, it's just taken its toll on a body that hasn't played a lot of matches since last [northern] summer."
Davenport said that, depending on when her match was scheduled, she would not train until Sunday and may not attempt to serve until she takes the court for her first-round match. ``I've dealt with much worse injuries and much worse things," she said. ``So I'm pretty optimistic it will heal."
Davenport's withdrawal ensured what was a welcome day's rest for Henin-Hardenne who was treated for a foot injury during her quarter-final victory over Chanda Rubin. However, the Belgian has said that injury was unlikely to disrupt her preparations for the Australian Open.
While Davenport was upbeat about her chances of playing next week, world No.2 Kim Clijsters, who badly sprained an ankle at last week's Hopman Cup, has still made no decision about whether she will be able to play at Melbourne Park.
However, the Belgian has said she will not take part if there was any risk of long-term damage a possibility given she has suffered some achilles tendon damage and also the sticky nature of the Rebound Ace surface.
If the worst-case scenario for Australian Open organisers occurred and Clijsters and the fifth seeded Davenport did not play, it would mean the tournament would be without four of the world's six top-ranked players (Serena Williams and Jennifer Capriati being the others).
As it is, the 2000 champion Davenport is the only woman in the field to have won the title after the retirement of Martina Hingis and the non-appearance of Williams, Capriati, Mary Pierce and Monica Seles.
``I don't know how much of an advantage that is," says Davenport of her experience. ``People have won grand slams a lot more in recent times maybe not here in Melbourne. But I've typically played well here. I feel really good about myself right now. It's an unfortunate setback today, but one that I think is overcomeable, if that's a word.
``I still feel great about my chances."
© 2004 Sydney Morning Herald
