Lindsay Davenport and the air she breathes in Beijing

Tennis star Lindsay Davenport, who pulled out of her second-round Wimbledon match two weeks ago with a sore right knee, is feeling better and looking forward to warming up for the Olympics and the U.S. Open by playing World Team Tennis with the Newport Breakers.

Davenport, who will play singles and doubles (with new U.S. citizen Liezel Huber, who played for her native South Africa in the 2000 Olympics) spoke to reporters during a morning teleconference.

Davenport said her right knee is feeling better. The diagnosis?

"It's an old knee," the 32-year-old athlete said, "I've played too many tennis hours. It's doing pretty good, I'm following doctors orders and have had limited activity so it can heal 100% before I delve back in."

Davenport, who will be joined on the U.S. women's team by Venus and Serena Williams and Huber, said she had played twice before in tournaments in Beijing during September.

"Playing in Beijing will represent some challenges out of doors," Davenport said. "It's extremely tough to breathe. It was amazing on the tennis court to see how, from the beginning of the day until the end of the day, the dirt that would pile up on the court."

Davenport says she plans to play the summer series of U.S. tournaments that includes a stop in Carson (July 21-27) before heading to Beijing, and then the U.S. Open. While other top-ranked players, including U.S. No. 1 man Andy Roddick, have chosen to skip the Olympics and concentrate on the U.S. Open, Davenport said that wasn't an option for her.

"In 1996 in Atlanta I won the gold when I wasn't supposed to, and that was a breakthrough pinnacle of my career," Davenport said. "I regretted skipping 2004, and my huge goal of coming back from having my baby [son Jagger] last summer was going to Beijing. I'm proud to represent tennis and be an American, hopefully trying to bring some medals back."

-- Diane Pucin

Photo: Lindsay Davenport plays a forehand during the first round of women's singles at the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships. Credit: Clive Brunskill / Getty Images