A conversation with Lindsay Davenport

MELBOURNE, Australia – Five topics, in a brief chat with tennis star Lindsay Davenport, at the Australian Open. Davenport, who won here in 2000, is playing her first Grand Slam event since giving birth to son Jagger in June.

Reaction to a most-difficult Open draw, playing Maria Sharapova in the second round:

Davenport: “I know she wasn’t happy…. It’s going to be so nice to go out there and be the underdog, to be the one that has nothing to lose. I haven’t had that for so long. It’s been a much more fun process coming back because of that.”

Some of the reasons behind her comeback, which has resulted in three tournament titles:

Davenport: “I think I missed a lot of the goals and the drive that you have every day. I followed what felt right and felt natural and really haven’t looked back. It’s been enjoyable every step of the way. I don’t regret anything.”

On receiving a piece of advice from Gavin Rossdale, the husband of singer Gwen Stefani:

Davenport: “When (their son) Kingston was first born, he (Rossdale) said, ‘You’ve got two sets of parents. One set that adapts solely to the kid. You go overboard that way. The other way is you have a kid and you have them adapt to your life.’

“In the olden days, they always would adapt to the adults’ life. And I think people have gone so crazy the other way. I took that to heart.

“I remember thinking that a lot when he (Jagger) was born, ‘You can go too crazy into the kid.’ We just figured he’s going to adapt to our life, and luckily he’s been very great with all the changes we’ve thrown at him.”

Receiving another word, or two, of advice, this time from her mother, Ann:

Davenport: “When I first came back I remember there were a few days where I was telling my mom, ‘Gosh, I feel guilty. I always serve at the end of practice, and I just have served five minutes and I’m done. I’ve got to go home. I felt bad.’

“She (Ann) said, ‘When you were two weeks old, I went back to work, to a full-time job. We had no money. I left the house at 8 a.m. I would drop you off at day care, work 9 to 5, pick you up at 5:30 and we’d come home.’ And I think the world of my mom. She’s the greatest person ever.

“I thought, ‘Wow that puts it into perspective.’ I’m only gone three hours a day. I think every mom struggles with that in the beginning.”

The daily life of being back on the tour:

Davenport: “I feel like when I just started. It’s just amazing. I feel like way more fun now, way less pressure. I’ve had the same coach since ‘03 (Adam Peterson) and since I’ve come back, we have not had one bad practice.”

lisa.dillman@latimes.com