Los Angeles - A second pregnancy could mark the end of the tennis career of Lindsay Davenport after the 32-year-old withdrew from the Australian Open over her good news.

The announcement could have been a surprise for the mother-to-be after the three-time Grand Slam champion decided only a week ago to prepare for an entry next month into the Australian Open.

Davenport gave birth to son Jagger in 2007, saying at the time that she had retired. But she then reversed her decision, returning to tennis three months later and lifting two WTA titles in the autumn and another pair at the start of 2008.

"Of course this unexpected but exciting surprise now means I will be putting tennis on hold for the foreseeable future," Davenport said in a statement.

The American last played in the US Open. She owns 55 career singles titles including Grand Slams at the US Open in 1998, Wimbledon in 1999 and the Australian Open in
2000. (dpa)