Recently Jennifer Conrad talked with U.S. tennis star Lindsay Davenport on the eve of Team USA's departure for the Beijing Games. Her report:

Although some high-profile players—such as French player Amelie Mauresmo and American Andy Roddick—have said they'll sit out the Olympics to get ready for the U.S. Open, American tennis star Lindsay Davenport (currently ranked 23 by the WTA) says she wouldn't miss the Beijing Games.

"I love being a part of something much different than just tennis. I am part of Team U.S.A. and a representative of my country," says Davenport , who will be playing for the U.S. along with the Williams sisters and her doubles partner Liezel Huber.

"The Olympics have always been a big part of my family, and I'm honored to take part," she adds. Davenport won a gold medal in singles in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics; her father played on the 1968 U.S. volleyball team.

Davenport has played in Beijing twice before, and she expressed concerns about the Beijing air quality in other interviews.

But when I asked, she said that while the air is a concern for all athletes, she thinks the city is doing all it can to clean up the pollution.

As far as the pro-Tibet and human rights protests in the lead-up to the Olympics, Davenport would rather not go there: "I feel like I'm an athlete, and I'm there to play. The Olympics are about goodwill. If my country deems that we should send a team, then I'll be there."

Although troubles with her right knee caused Davenport to sit out June's East West Bank Classic in California , she says her knee is on the mend. And this year has been a comeback for the 32-year-old, who gave birth to her first son, Jagger, last June. Since returning to the game late last year, she has won several smaller tournaments and played at this year's Australian Open and Wimbledon .

"My time is much more limited now, but I enjoy playing tennis more," she says. "It's more fun, and I feel more down-to-earth."

To bounce back into playing shape after her son was born, she focused on staying healthy and eating well while she was pregnant. "I really thought it was the most important time of my life to be as healthy as I could. In the first few months after my son was born, exercise actually helped me to feel less tired and gave me an outlet to be with my thoughts."

After having her baby, Davenport wanted to look better too; she recently became a spokesperson for the wrinkle-filler Juvederm. "I saw some pictures of myself shortly after my son was born and didn't like what I saw—I thought I looked like I was in my mid to late 40s," she explains, adding that she thinks that playing tennis outdoors since she was a kid has taken a toll on her skin.

(Full disclosure: this interview was  arranged by Juvederm on condition her use of products be mentioned; whatever else the Beijing Games turn out to be, the Olympics remain a major vehicle for corporate sponsors.) 

"It does feel like women in our sport are way more scrutinized for our appearance than in other female sports. I don't know if this is because we wear short skirts or that we have been around so long."

Having her picture snapped with her son after she wins a big match has become a tradition for Davenport—and certainly she must hope for another photo op this August.