Davenport Withdraws from Wimbledon

This probably doesn’t come as a big surprise to anyone, but Lindsay Davenport withdrew from Wimbledon earlier today with a knee injury.

The 32-year-old American withdrew from the warm-up Eastbourne tournament earlier this month. She also sat out the clay court season. Who would have thought two months without competitive tennis would cause issues later? Hmmm.

Here are my thoughts: Davenport is done. She did a remarkable job earlier this year. She played well, she played hard, she beat some good players. But LD just doesn’t have the stamina, the ability to stay healthy or the game anymore to last two long weeks at a Grand Slam. I know she’s a former Wimbledon champion. From 1999. That’s almost a decade ago!

I’m not knocking Davenport’s try to make a comeback. It’s admirable. But you also have to know when to acknowledge that the run is over. She’s older (in tennis terms anyway – otherwise she’s not), and she’s got a child. Funny how those miniature human beings reorder your priorities in a hurry.

I have a feeling a few more forced withdraws from tournaments will cause Davenport to take a step back and reconsider her tennis career. Maybe I’m wrong; I hope I’m not.