Davenport injured again--this is getting hard to bear

When I wrote about the hard luck and hard times experienced by Lindsay Davenport for the past few years, I had no idea things were about to take a turn for the worse. On Saturday at the Pilot Pen tournament, Davenport played a high quality, tension-filled semifinal match against Samantha Stosur (who appears to have gotten past her mental toughness problem) and won 7-6, 7-6. During the match, Davenport's shoulder became sore. The next day, she was unable to serve or effectively hit a forehand in her final against Justine Henin-Hardenne. She took an injury break for what turned out to be a shoulder strain, got a heat pack and wrap, but it was too late. The pain had moved all the way to her wrist.

Davenport, in tears, retired at 0-6, 0-1. She was the Pilot Pen defending champion. Much worse, though, is that her participation in the U.S. Open is now in doubt. For most of the summer, I assumed that Davenport would be at Fushing Meadows in name only, since she had not played during the hardcourt season. But at Pilot Pen, she looked so sharp, I again listed her as a contender. Now it looks as though she may have to withdraw.

For WTA fans, this is the worst possible news. I don't even like to think about what it feels like for Davenport.