WIMBLEDON

June 29, 2004

Jennifer Capriati

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I think I can. I'm going to try, and it's not like I haven't done it before. You know, things like that I think are just going to become more automatic for me.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: With Serena?

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: You know, we just kind of have been really close every time, you know. And I guess just the last couple times, you know, took advantage maybe of her not playing that much tennis, and maybe not playing as well, me being more focused. You know, just executing a game plan a little bit better, and probably just believing in myself a little bit more.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: You know, I really -- it's just about me, you know, playing the ball out there. It's never really been about the person. It's just, you know, my tennis against the other person's tennis. So I never really -- that kind of stuff with the aura and mystique and personality, I mean, I just never -- never really plays a part.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Well, obviously I'm not going to like say my game plan. But, you know, grass is a completely different surface. Obviously, on clay you have a little bit more time. So I think it's just a matter of really who gets the initiative first and really who's more aggressive first and takes control of the point, you know. Serving and returning will be a huge factor.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, I think that's true. I mean, obviously, you know, off the court, away from the court, everyone has their own lives, you know. Just when we come to the same work environment, there's really -- we're seeing each other all the time, so there's really no need to be hostile or, you know, have animosity towards each other. I mean, you know, it's just -- I think she respects my game, I respect her game, and that's basically it. And as far as personality, I mean, we're not like the best of friends, but we're not like enemies either. I mean, I get along with everybody.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I don't know. I guess that's your call. I don't know. You tell me.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Okay.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Well, I think I really -- first, I served well and returned well enough, just solid. I just played solid. You know, I just tried to keep the balls long, deep. And then also I did mix it up where she's having trouble with coming in and hitting, playing short balls. But, you know, she's really good side to side. And then, you know, I just -- I think I just hung in there pretty good and did everything just a little bit better and really was just more solid out there. And maybe she was getting a little bit tired. I mean, I was getting tired, too, because there was long rallies. Kind of not used to having those rallies at this tournament. Being a little bit hot out there, too.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, of course. I mean, just for myself really, not for anything else. You know, it's weird to me because it doesn't seem that long ago where I was just like the young one coming up. So really, I mean, I guess I'm a lot older, but I don't feel that way. I mean, it's only normal, I mean, because I hope there is going to be a lot of good talent and good players by the time I stop, because it's just good for the game.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Well, we certainly played each other more than I think anybody else, you know. And we always end up in the same part of the draw, whatever, always end up playing each other and having good matches. So, I mean, there's a lot of different ones. But maybe the most that people know of, I guess.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, I think just like if it was reversed where I had all breakpoints against me all the time, I think mentally it weighs on you. So it's a good thing. You've got to remember that eventually, you know, you're going to break and it's going to get in their head that they have to work so hard to basically hold service. So, you know, it's just -- yeah, it's a fine line between getting to that point and not, you know, doing too much, but not doing enough, you know, to get that break. Because you don't want to lose it, but then you don't want to just kind of play nonchalant. So really just try not to think about it being breakpoints, just treat each point the same way.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Well, I mean, obviously she has a good serve, great serve, one of the best and hardest in the women's game. You know, and she hits the ball big off both sides - probably harder than most. But just, you know, her physical presence out there. You know, she's, you know, not going to -- you know, she's a tremendous athlete, so...

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I guess we just both have that aggressive style, you know. We just basically try to dictate points the same way, every opportunity we see, kind of just know that we have maybe that little bit extra that the other girls don't have to get that extra umpf basically on the shots. You know, just good athleticism.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: No. I mean, I think you just realize how stupid it is, how stupid it sounds. Even if you like -- I'm not saying I've never said anything stupid - for sure I have - so it's like you realize it, and that's what, you know, you learn. You learn from it. Be like, that doesn't sound good. Don't say anything, it's not worth it. Really, it's just a game. I mean, just leave it at that and just make sure you always show class out there.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I can't like change my game, you know. I mean that's my game and that's her game, and usually we're just feeding off each other like that. But I think, you know, that's probably even the last few times, that's what's worked, is maybe I have changed it up a little bit. You know, it's difficult, because if you're not used to playing that way, it's just very -- it's hard to just all of a sudden start kind of trying to play finesse, you know, when you're not really practicing doing that. And then if you don't hit it the right way, then, you know, she usually puts you away. Boom, it's a winner, or, you know, just hits a better shot. So it's hard because, uhm, if it's not good enough, then, you know, you'll be punished for it.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: You know, there's not much that he says. I mean, basically he's just a real positive guy and real laid back, just keeps it relaxed. You know, just basically when he's out there with me, just, you know, making sure that everything is in check, you know, basically what I'm doing. And there's not a lot, you know, of different things that he's telling me, just anything major. On the grass, you know, there's different strategies to play, for sure.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, that was just kind of scheduling and, you know, him being in Europe, me being in the States. I mean, it was just difficult. Him having his family and all that. So I just don't think it would have worked out.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: No. I mean, it really doesn't matter. Maybe the radar's off, I don't know (smiling).

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah. Yeah. I mean, it's like -- we're not like enemies and we're not like have this -- you know, people would love to think that. But I'm not saying we're the best friends either and we're going to go and hang out after. You know, it's just a mutual respect. That's all.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Just a good match thing. It's just because we've played each other so many times, it's like, "You know, we're we go again." We've walked up to each other at the net and shook hands like so many times. So it's like, "Okay, I won this one."