Updated at 2:45 p.m., Saturday, January 12, 2008
Tennis: New mom Davenport is S. Williams' role model
Associated Press
MELBOURNE, Australia — New mom Lindsay Davenport is Serena Williams' "ultimate" role model.Former No. 1 Davenport, the 2000 Australian Open champion, won last week in Auckland, New Zealand, for her third title in four events since giving birth last June to her first child, son Jagger.
This year's defending champion is impressed.
"I'm speechless because she looks better than me and she's seven months out of having a baby." Williams said today.
"I'm convinced if I had a baby, seven months later I'd probably still be in the hospital trying to get over the pain," she added, laughing.
"She is my ultimate role model. I'm really so motivated ... she's just taken it to a new level."
Davenport plays Italy's Sara Errani in the first round and could face last year's finalist Maria Sharapova in the second.
"I haven't seen her play since she's returned," Williams said of Davenport. "She's winning ... I think Maria's playing really well, too. It will definitely be one to watch."
