World number one Lindsay Davenport underwent surgery to correct a cartilage defect in her right knee, sidelining her from the WTA Tour for at least four to six months.
The 25-year-old American withdrew from the Australian Open earlier this week and is unlikely to return in time for the French Open. Should she need the maximum recovery time, Davenport would also miss Wimbledon.
Tony Godsick, Davenport's agent, said in a news release that Davenport had successful surgery to correct a full thickness cartilage defect on her lateral tibia.
The surgery was performed by Richard Steadman of the Steadman-Hawkins Clinic. The doctor said in a statement that Davenport's prognosis "is good for a full recovery, but the recovery will require four to six months of rehabilitation."
Davenport suffered cartilage damage to her right knee during her semi-final match at the WTA Championships in Munich in November.
Her place atop the rankings will likely go to defending Australian Open champion Jennifer Capriati or reigning US Open queen Venus Williams, the American women who are ranked second and third in the WTA ratings entering the year's first Grand Slam event, the Australian Open, which begins Monday. AFP