CBS SportsLine
Chat Transcript
April 1, 1999

Davenport, ranked No. 2 in the world, is looking to regain the top spot this year. (Allsport)

When one of the top women's tennis players in the world stops by to chat and give you pointers, you'd better listen. American Lindsay Davenport answered your questions live on Thursday, April 1 as she shared her opinions on a range of topics like the popularity of women's tennis and even why she holds her trophies tighter.

Davenport is currently ranked No. 2 on the WTA Tour. She has played in five tournaments this year, winning the adidas International to start the year and most recently pulling out of the quarterfinals of the Lipton Cup with an injury.

Only 22 years old, Davenport has 20 singles titles, including one Olympic title and 23 doubles titles. She won the U.S. Open title last year and was a member of the U.S. Federation Cup team. Davenport won the singles title in 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

Find out what Lindsay had to say in the full transcript of her chat below.

Lindsay Davenport: Hi everyone, glad to be here tonight. I'm ready for your questions now.

Question: Lindsay, at what age did you start playing tennis?

Lindsay Davenport: I was six. I started playing at a local club, when my mom took me into an after school kids program.

Question: Lindsay, did you ever play any other sports?

Lindsay Davenport: I just started so young, that by the time I was 10 or 11 (when you usually start volleyball), I totally loved tennis already.

Question: Do you feel that you missed out on a lot of things when you were younger since you were always playing tennis?

Lindsay Davenport: There are a ton. I could never go out with my friends on the weekends, and after school I had to go practice. I often had tournaments on the weekends, but if you really enjoy the competition, you won't always feel like you're missing out.

Question: Lindsay, how did you feel when you won the U.S. Open last year?

Lindsay Davenport: It was the most incredible feeling, something you work so hard for. It was a dream finally come true. You feel like everything you did was worth it, and that you've accomplished you're biggest goal. Not everyone gets to feel that. I also felt a lot of vindication, because so many people said I could never win it. I felt like I proved a lot of people wrong.

Question: Lindsay, what do you think of the Williams sisters and which one would you rather play?

Lindsay Davenport: I think my game just matches up very well with her. I much prefer to play Venus than Serena. I think I just know how to beat her :-)

Question: Lindsay, do you think that winning in the Olympics helped you become a better player?

Lindsay Davenport: Definitely. That was such a great moment in my life. To be an Olympic champion means more to me than anything you can do alone in tennis. It was my first major victory, and instilled in me the belief that I could get better and be a great player.

Question: Lindsay, do you think that the younger players are disrespectful towards the older and established players?

Lindsay Davenport: I don't think the younger players are disrespectful. I think they're very confident and very outspoken in their beliefs. I think they're all respectful, and even a little intimidated sometimes, by some of the older players.

Question: Were you surprised by Serena Williams' play?

Lindsay Davenport: I wasn't surprised, but I was surprised how well she played in her first really huge match, and how strong she stayed at the end of a long, close match. I was impressed by her mental strength and her will to win.

Question: Who are your toughest opponents, and do you look forward to playing them at all?

Lindsay Davenport: I've always had great, tough matches with Steffi Graf, and with Martina Hingis, and I have really tough matches. But those are the ones you enjoy playing, when you know it's going to be a really tough match.

Question: Lindsay, how come you are not playing right now?

Lindsay Davenport: Right now I'm having some problems with my wrist, so I can't play. Obviously, you need to win tournaments to get to No. 1. I hope to be playing at my highest level again -- I definitely hope to get back to No. 1.

Question: Lindsay, was the time you dropped a trophy your most embarrassing moment on the court?

Lindsay Davenport: Sounds like one of my friends told you to ask that! It was funny. I've definitely learned to hold on to my trophies a little tighter.

Question: Do you find it difficult to do things in your personal life because you devote so much to tennis?

Lindsay Davenport: It's tough to have a personal life while trying to be at the top of your game. You make the sacrifice because you love the tennis and the competition more than anything. But your personal life is as good as you make it. You just have to try hard.

Question: Do you get along with any of the other players?

Lindsay Davenport: Mostly, the American players. Monica, Mary Joe, Lisa Raymond. You get to know these girls when playing Fed Cup and team competitions like the Olympics.

Question: Lindsay, do you feel that there should be if not age limitations, some kind of requirement before players can come on the tour?

Lindsay Davenport: Definitely. All players should at least get through high school to be able to compete on the tour. If they start younger, they should have to do some schooling at the same time.

Question: Would you favor a new scoring system?

Lindsay Davenport: I don't really like it. I like the regular scoring system. I prefer to play with deuces.

Question: what do you think of Pete Sampras?

Lindsay Davenport: I know Pete a little, we grew up in the same town. I knew his sister a lot better. But I think Pete's a good guy. He's achieved so much, and he's still a good guy.

Question: Do you feel that America's women are the best players in the world?

Lindsay Davenport: The success of all of us in the last year or two, we're showing everyone that American women's tennis is back on the top. With Venus, Serena and myself, I think we can get American tennis back on track, and get more girls playing it again.

Question: Lindsay, can you describe your friendship with Billie Jean King?

Lindsay Davenport: Billie Jean's been a great supporter and friend of mine for many years. She doesn't talk about specifics in my game. She gives me a general picture of tennis. She's really more of a friend.

Question: who do you think has improved the most on the court this year?

Lindsay Davenport: I think Serena has improved the most of anyone this year. She's playing with a ton of confidence right now, and that's the major thing you need in your game. She's always had a major game, but right now she's just a lot more consistent with it.

Question: Lindsay, do think the popularity of women's tennis is on the rise?

Lindsay Davenport: It's so tough in the U.S., because there are so many different sports with mass appeal. I think women's tennis is slowly getting back to the top of the list, though. With all our new stars, it's getting more exciting every month.