THE MOST obvious question that could be posed to Lindsay Davenport is quite simply: Why? What possesses a player who has accomplished nearly everything in tennis to return to the sport she admitted had lost its gloss for her just months after giving birth to her first child? Almost 15 years on the circuit determined she had done her bit. The answer is not short or straightforward.

Yes, she regularly stated her idyllic existence would be in Southern California with a husband and family, and never again have to worry with rankings, injuries, practice or the disappointment of losing.

No, it was not prompted by finance or unfinished business. After all, she has amassed more prize money than any female – just short of $22m – and her ambition had long been satisfied by three Grand Slam singles titles, an Olympic gold and 98 weeks as world No 1. Many of her long-term rivals are retired – Steffi Graf, Monica Seles, Jennifer Capriati, Martina Hingis and Kim Clijsters. Just as well her nine-month-old son Jagger Jonathan is contentedly bedded down for his second nap, after sitting courtside in his pram while she honed those fearsome ground shots on the practice court. She has changed into a smart dress in preparation for the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour awards ceremony where she will be presented as the Comeback Player of 2007.

Since her return last September in Bali and before setting out to contest the Sony Ericsson Open here on this palm-fringed islet off Miami, with baby and nanny in tow, Davenport has won 28 times, lost four, collecting four more titles.

After beginning her comeback at 234, she is now 35 and aims to be 10 places higher by Wimbledon, even though her play beforehand will be minimal. “Staying over there through the build-up tournaments, through the French, would mean too much time away from home,” said the 31-year-old. “I’m lucky I can take my son with me and my husband is supportive. He knows it is not a long-term thing but there have to be some lines drawn.

“I was always fighting to stay near the top and getting injured. Then all of a sudden I had this idea I would be the underdog and play for fun. I never thought it would happen. It’s so much different. There’s no pressure, no expectation.”

The process began several months before Jagger was born last June. She sat down to watch tennis from Indian Wells and felt the first tinges of withdrawal. Discussing this with husband John, an investment banker and brother of ex-touring pro Rick Leach, she began to formulate plans.

Davenport cites Australian 400m hurdler Jana Rawlinson, who won the world title less than a year after giving birth, and swimmer Darra Torres, who at 41 is aiming to swim in her fifth Olympics as inspirations, plus Paula Radcliffe, winner of last year’s New York Marathon.

Like this trio, Davenport’s ambitions centre on Beijing. To win a fourth Grand Slam seems far-fetched, but after winning Olympic gold in Atlanta 12 years ago then missing Athens in 2004 to concentrate on the US Open, she is motivated again by the Games. “After my son was born I had a year to get ready for Beijing. I guess that was the driving force,” she admitted. “It’s important to balance both aspects, rather than be full-out on my tennis and not spend so much time caring for my son. But the Olympics have a great pull.”

Recent weeks have seen that resolve tested. Not only did Davenport suffer a reccurrence of back problems at Indian Wells that eventually forced her to retire from the quarter-finals, but Jagger was taken ill with a virus and had to be rushed to the tournament doctor. “I was stressed out of my mind, my back was killing me and I was yelling at my husband because my son had a fever,” said Davenport.

“Things like that might happen to put tennis into perspective again. Any mother will say you go through weeks like that, it’s part of being a parent. It makes you appreciate your priorities.”

- THE MAN who played a decisive role in establishing global equality of prizemoney in tennis is now set to shift his focus to other fields. As vice-president and head of marketing at Sony Ericsson, Dee Dutta drove through the company’s sponsorship of the WTA tour. As a parting gift, he has been bestowed a Special Contribution To Tennis award by the women’s game. “Dee’s vision has helped take us further and faster than we would have gone,” said WTA Tour chief executive Larry Scott.