Lindsay Davenport's Kevo

Lindsay Davenport had a spectacular 1998 season, ushering her to the elite ranks of the women’s tennis world. The 6’3” talent had six tournament victories, including a resounding win at the US Open. She became the first American-born female to triumph in the tournament since Chris Evert in 1982, beating out top-ranked Martina Hingis to steal away the #1 world ranking.

Davenport was born on June 8, 1976, in Palos Verdes, California. Her parents were both tall and athletic - her father, Wink, measured six feet, eight inches, and was a member of the 1968 US Olympic volleyball team. Her mother, Ann, was five feet, ten inches tall, and served on the board of the US Volleyball Association. Though both of her sisters played volleyball, Lindsay was encouraged to play tennis. She joined the US Tennis Association at age 12. By age 15, she won both singles and doubles championships at the 18-and-under Nationals in 1991 and then the Junior US Open in 1992.

Davenport turned pro in 1993, just before her senior year in high school. She won her first major-tour event at the European Open and saw her ranking jump to #25 in the world. The following year, she had a strong season and became the first American player to be ranked in the top ten since Jennifer Capriati in 1990. Despite her success, the media began to turn on her. Articles written about her belittled her size and unusual height.

In 1995, Davenport helped lead the United States to the US Federation Cup finals, but she did not crack the top ten. Some observers noted that she lacked self-confidence and motivation, and was overweight - she had gone up to around 200 pounds. In addition, her parents started divorce proceedings after 28 years of marriage, causing turmoil in the Davenport family.

Davenport rebounded in 1996 with the help of a new full-time coach, Robert Van’t Hof. She captured a gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. She also became one of just four players to defeat Steffi Graf that year, at the Acura Classic. She won Tennis Magazines’ Most Improved Tennis Pro Award and finished the season ranked ninth.

In 1997, she continued her winning streak, taking titles at the Bank of the West Classic, Toshiba Tennis Classic, Acura Classic, Pan Pacific, and European Championships. Her weight dropped to 175 pounds. With partner Natasha Zvereva, they were the runner-up in the doubles competition at all four Grand Slam events. Her ranking climbed as high as number two, but fell after a quarterfinals loss to Nathalie Tauziat at Wimbledon.

Davenport currently resides at her four-bedroom home in Newport Beach, California. She is single and lives with her mother.
Work History
professional Tennis Player (1993-present)
Affiliations
member of the USA Tennis Spokesteam; Elected to the WTA TOUR Players' Council (1996-1998)
Awards
Lindsay Davenport has also won numerous Awards