Mother Davenport has dual concerns about back injury

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

INDIAN WELLS, California (Reuters) - Although Lindsay Davenport was sad to withdraw from the Pacific Life Open due to a back injury on Thursday, she was more concerned with her inability to perform 100 percent as a mother.

The former world number one, who returned to the court last September after an 11-month absence to have a baby, said her problem back prevented her from carrying her son.

"It's been a tough couple of weeks in that regard," the 31-year-old American told reporters after retiring hurt from her quarter-final with third-seeded Serb Jelena Jankovic.

"I haven't been able to lift him up out of his crib, out of the stroller or out of the car seat so I've been feeling like kind of a bad mom in that regard.

"I'm hoping it gets better in the next few days and not be just the mom giving orders to everybody," added the Tour veteran who gave birth to son Jagger last June.

Davenport, who has shocked the tennis world by winning four WTA titles since returning to the game, said she initially hurt her back 12 days ago.

"I was getting treatment and everything and it got way better and was manageable," she added.

MUSCLE SPASMS