Top-ranked Lindsay Davenport underwent arthroscopic surgery on
her right knee Friday and is expected to be sidelined for at least four
months.
Davenport's agent, Tony Godsick of IMG, said the surgery to
correct a full thickness cartilage defect on the 25-year-old
Davenport's lateral tibia was successful. Godsick wasn't
immediately available for further comment.
Dr. Richard Steadman of the Steadman-Hawkins Clinic in Vail,
Colo., said the prognosis "is good for a full recovery, but the
recovery will require 4-to-6 months of rehabilitation."
Davenport had the operation four days after withdrawing from the
Australian Open because of persistent pain in her knee. The year's
first Grand Slam event begins Monday in Melbourne.
Davenport was injured at the season-ending Sanex Championships
in Munich, Germany, on Nov. 3. She pulled out of the championship
match there, ending a 15-match winning streak in which she won
three straight tournaments.
Davenport was injured while chasing a drop shot from Kim
Clijsters in the semifinals at the $3 million Sanex event.
Davenport completed that victory, but she couldn't play the final
against Serena Williams the next day.
Davenport was No. 1 at the end of last year despite failing to
win a Grand Slam tournament. She overtook Jennifer Capriati during
the Sanex event.
Davenport, who also finished 1998 ranked No. 1, has won three
Grand Slam events in her career -- the U.S. Open in 1998, Wimbledon
in 1999 and the Australian Open in 2000. Capriati won the
Australian Open last year.
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