There’s living large and then there’s living enormous. At 15, Lindsay Davenport went pro. At 20, she took home the gold at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and then went on to win the U.S. Open, Wimbledon and the Australian Open. She’s known for seldom missing the sweet spot—both on the face of the racket and in the hearts of her fans. Now, at age 32, the tennis icon is demonstrating a return that is nothing short of remarkable.

In June of 2007 her first child, Jagger, was born. Two months later, the OC native returned to the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour. In January of this year, she surpassed Steffi Graf in career prize money earned—$22 million. Not since Evonne Goolagong won a Grand Slam tournament nearly 30 years ago has a tennis-pro-turned-mother resumed her career with such ferocity.

She was named the 2007 WTA Comeback Player of the Year and (along with the Williams sisters) chosen to represent the U.S. at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing this past August. Still, her number one priority these days is spending a maximum amount of time with her husband, Jon, and her new son and practice schedules are set to accommodate them. Any spare time she has goes into the philanthropies she supports and promoting tennis in Orange County. In late August she played for the 2008 Arthur Ashe Kids Day at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York and earlier in the summer, Davenport played for The Breakers Tennis Team at the Newport Beach Country Club.

Parenting OC magazine caught up with the Laguna Beach resident to find out how she manages to keep all the balls in the air.

How did you return to tennis so soon after the birth of your son? Most new mothers are exhausted.

I was really diligent while pregnant. People have different philosophies. Some people think it’s a time to kick back and put your feet up. My husband and I thought this was the most important time in my life that I be healthy and unselfish. I didn’t touch coffee or Advil or alcohol. I tried to exercise—swimming, elliptical machine, light weights. My body bounced back so much faster because of it.

Did you nurse?

After my son was born, I felt the same way, that I have to do everything I can for him. I breastfed for six weeks but my boobs went up four or five sizes and when I started playing again it was almost impossible.

How did you decide upon the name Jagger?

At first, we were certain we were having a girl so we were so focused on girls’ names and as I was getting wheeled in for my C-section—the chord was wrapped around the baby’s neck three times, necessitating a C-section at 36 1/2 weeks—we were arguing about girls’ names and then he was born a boy.

We were like, WHAT? Jagger was a name we’d discussed years earlier and it stuck. I’m almost 6’3” and my husband is 6’4”. We always figured we’d have a big, tough son. A really sweet name wouldn’t fit.

Were you surprised it was a boy?

I couldn’t speak. I actually wanted a boy more than anything. I didn’t have a brother so I thought it would be great to experience what it would be like to have a boy around the house. So I was thrilled.

I’m sure Wimbledon was a disappointment with your knee injury. Even so, do you still feel like you’ve had an incredible comeback?

You know, it’s so funny because at heart I’m still a fierce competitor and I was SO disappointed at Wimbledon. My husband was trying to give me this talk where he said, “It’s been amazing what you’ve done so far.” And I still feel I’ve not been as successful as I could have been.

Obviously my son has given me some perspective. But you’re used to a certain standard and you’d like to continue achieving at that standard. Having said that, I surpassed all my expectations as far as winning tournaments, but what I’m most proud of is being able to manage everything because obviously it’s not easy, every mother knows that. Traveling around the world, having a hectic schedule, toting a newborn around and now the baby is entering the toddler stage.

Did you have any concerns about bringing Jagger to Beijing for the Olympics?

He’s been all over: Bali, China, Europe, New Zealand, Australia. When I decided to come back, it was always under the guise that he was coming everywhere with me. So I can’t really travel and be scared of what can happen. I have a great pediatrician who makes sure we’re all covered when we leave the country. Of course he’s coming. Some people call us crazy. For us, that’s just the way life is.

Reading about you, it’s clear that mental toughness is a big thing with you. I’m surprised that you’re so charming and sweet.

I actually get a lot of criticism for that. But on the court I’ve never looked at it as “me against my opponent.” I’ve always seen it as me against myself. Sometimes I’m a little self-deprecating and I feel like it’s all my fault. But the opponent is never the enemy. I don’t have that killer instinct where I don’t like my opponents. When the match is done, I don’t carry any of that resentment off the court.

After being up you suffered an injury and lost to Venus Williams at Wimbledon in a long match. But rather than blame the injury, you said that Venus was the mentally tougher player. You don’t cut yourself much slack.

On court you have to be tough. There’s no time-out, hold-on, I’m not feeling it, give me a rest.
Do you hope to convey that importance of mental toughness to your son?

My husband, who also played professional tennis, and I will have some different tools than some other parents in trying to help him deal with problems and whatever comes his way. Athletes have a different way of looking at things in general than business people. It’s not better or worse, it’s just different. And so he’ll definitely have a little bit of a different mentality from our household.

What if Jagger doesn’t want to play tennis?

Oh, I hope he doesn’t want to play tennis. Both my parents played volleyball so when I got into tennis they didn’t know any better. My coach could tell me anything and they couldn’t argue. Unfortunately I’m so knowledgeable about the sport that it will be impossible not to say, “Well of course you’re hitting your forehand wrong.”

I would much prefer a different sport where I could actually go and enjoy it and not know whether his swing was off . It would be tough to let somebody else have the reins when I probably know more than they do.

What’s your advice to new moms hoping to juggle career and children?

You have to be organized. Trying to do a job and be a mom, you can’t make it work unless you know how things are going to go. But you also have to just enjoy it. Some nights you’re stuck. You can’t sleep, you’re up, you’re trying to do things, and other days it goes easier.

Last night, my son had a nightmare at 2:30 in the morning—that never happens. I had to be up at 4:45 and I sat there thinking, “How does this happen tonight?” But you go on. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

How has becoming Lindsey Davenport the mother changed Lindsey Davenport the tennis player?

I feel like this is the greatest time in my life. I think that my perspective is so incredibly different from anyone who currently plays. I have to be so diligent of my time, so I feel like the 90 minutes I’m on court I make the most use of it. But I have the greatest life off the court and I get so much enjoyment and fulfillment from being a mother. My life is so incredibly full and there’s more meaning in it and it’s overall more balanced and I’m not as crazy about the tennis.

Lindsay’s Top Beauty Must-Haves

I’ve always been a believer in keeping it simple. A gentle face wash and a good moisturizer and lots of sunscreen go a long way.

Don’t be afraid to change up your routine and try something new. Ask your friends whose skin you admire what they do, research online and talk to experts. For example, since turning 30—I have started using eye cream.

I’m never without my Neutrogena sunscreen. My La Mer face cream is also a must have of mine.

I love my Kiehl’s lip balm and Kerastase shampoo and conditioner. My family also never goes anywhere without Aveeno lotions.

I also receive treatment with JUVÉDERM® dermal filler for my “parentheses” lines along the sides of the nose and mouth. The results are great! I instantly looked a lot more refreshed and my skin had a smooth and natural look and feel. The treatment was quick with minimal downtime and results can last up to a year—perfect for my hectic schedule.