By DPA
Melbourne : Former world no.1 American Lindsay Davenport is becoming adept at juggling Australian Open tennis preparation along with the needs of her seven-month old son Jagger as her return to tennis hits stride.
“It’s my whole life now, my little boy,” said the 31-year-old who took time off to have a child before deciding on a return to the courts.
So far, it’s proved to be a successful decision, with three titles won from the four tournaments.
“I’m ecstatic,” Davenport said. “I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to have him, and still be able to play tennis.”
The American, who has moved to the top of the all-time tennis prize money list with $21 million in winnings, has the help of a travelling nanny, as well as her own husband and mother.
“I’ve managed everything so far pretty well, and hopefully it continues to go that way,” Davenport said.
She admits: “Free time has gone out the window. We take him everywhere we go. I definitely don’t read magazines any more. I’m not online unless I’m answering business emails or stuff revolving around tennis. I see a lot less of my friends at home. But, fortunately, everyone obviously is really understanding.”
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Blake gives mixed signals on ATP betting crackdown
Vice president of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) player’s council James Blake has called for penalties to drive out of tennis for life any player caught betting on his own matches.
But he also draws the line at the heavy crackdowns applied to a trio of Italians who have been suspended after making small punts on other contests, mostly played halfway around the world.
Alessio di Mauro is out for nine months while compatriots Daniele Bracciali got three months and Potito Starace six weeks for infractions as the ATP tackles the corruption issue.
“If someone was betting on their own matches, I would not be opposed to a lifetime ban,” said Blake. “Every situation may be different, so we have to have a tribunal. Anything like that, where it’s having an effect on matches, that’s something that could deserve a lifetime ban.
“If (players are betting) on their own matches, or even on tournaments that they’re at, then that’s something we need to take extremely seriously. And that’s where the strict punishments should come in.”