Top-ranked Lindsay Davenport underwent arthroscopic surgery on her right knee on Friday and is expected to be sidelined for at least four months.
Davenport's agent, Tony Godsick of IMG, said the surgery to correct a full thickness cartilage defect on the 25-year-old Davenport's lateral tibia was successful. Godsick wasn't immediately available for further comment.
Dr Richard Steadman of the Steadman-Hawkins Clinic in Vail, Colorado, said the prognosis, "Is good for a full recovery, but the recovery will require 4-to-6 months of rehabilitation."
Davenport had the operation four days after withdrawing from the upcoming Australian Open because of persistent pain in her knee.
Davenport was injured at the season-ending Sanex Championships in Munich, Germany, on November 3. She pulled out of the championship match there, ending a 15-match winning streak in which she won three straight tournaments.
Davenport was injured while chasing a drop shot from Kim Clijsters in the semifinals at the $ 3 million Sanex event. Davenport completed that victory, but she couldn't play the final against Serena Williams the next day.
Davenport was No 1 at the end of last year despite failing to win a Grand Slam tournament. She overtook Jennifer Capriati during the Sanex event.
Davenport, who also finished 1998 ranked No.1, has won three Grand Slam events in her career - the US Open in 1998, Wimbledon in 1999 and the Australian Open in 2000. Capriati won the Australian Open last year. Bureau Report