Davenport enters Australian Open, say organisers

Melbourne, Dec 11: Lindsay Davenport has indicated she intends continuing playing on the WTA Tour by officially entering next month's Australian Open, organisers said on Thursday.

The former world number one and 2000 Australian Open champion has not played since the US Open last August and there was speculation that she may retire from competitive tennis. But Australian Open officials said the 32-year-old American mum intends to return to Melbourne Park to play in the year's opening Grand Slam tournament from January 19 to February 1.

"We are really excited that she has entered," tournament director Craig Tiley said. "She is a world class player and a great ambassador for our sport." Davenport was knocked out of the US Open in the third round by French 12th seed Marion Bartoli and said at the time that she was not prepared then to make a decision on her WTA future.

She has won events in Auckland and Florida this year and is still ranked 35 in the world. As well as her Australian Open singles title, Davenport also won Wimbledon in 1999 and the 1998 US Open. Tiley said entries for the 2009 Australian Open had closed and the top 100 men's and women's players were all on the list for the main draw.

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