WIMBLEDON

June 27, 2004

Jennifer Capriati

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, I think it was a good win. The first set was a little bit tough, but I stuck in there. It was a little bit of a test. Then I just really played well in the second set when I got going.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: You know, my attitude is always the same towards tennis, you know. I just want to do the best out there. You know, when I'm not feeling it, you know, then I don't even want to go out there and play. I mean, usually, you know, I only go out there when I want to play well. This year I haven't had much time to play. So now is a good time for me to come back and catch up on a lot that I missed the beginning of the year. So it feels good. I feel fresher.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I was surprised that it was a little bit empty when I first went out there, but I guess it was just taking a while for them to get in. You can definitely feel a difference in the atmosphere. I mean, not that it's like they don't appreciate it on the other days, but they're like really feel honored to be there almost.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Well, right now I think if I just keep doing whatever it is that I was doing. It's hard with all the delays. It kind of breaks up your rhythm. I feel like I came in with a really good rhythm, just really sharp. You know, with the rain and everything, you sit around, you start to get a little bit -- it's hard to not just get sluggish and just kind of, you know, lose that quickness. That's one of the toughest things. I know especially now, if I keep winning, it's going to be almost like every day. I've played every day already. That's usually not what happens in a Grand Slam. But, you know, I mean, I hope I'm prepared for that physically.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah. I feel like I have all those things. You know, I use them in practice. I guess it's maybe a confidence issue or just, you know, not feeling so good physically. If I'm, you know, there to the ball, then I feel like I have time to do all these different shots. And that's the way I feel right now, just that, you know, I have time to kind of pick and choose. I feel confident in trying all these kind of different varieties. I think, yeah, it will help me not to just stick to the usual routine of just staying on the baseline, and just trying to, you know, get every ball back.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Well, it will be very important. I think if I just keep doing what I've been doing, just to try to take the initiative right off the bat and use my power and my groundstrokes, just, you know, keep feeling confident to come to the net. I think she'll be trying a lot of that, so, you know, it's important for to me just not let her do that, and to keep serving and returning well. I mean, obviously on the grass, you know, as long as I can rely on my serve and hold my own serve, then I can concentrate more on trying to break her, too.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: No. I mean, I was in France, so I couldn't. I went to the last game, final game.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: It's great. You know, because I know what it feels like almost. It's just such a great feeling. Just, you know, I get chills when I watch somebody else doing it, how much hard work it takes, all that goes into finally getting that prize. I think the athletes can appreciate it a little more because they really know what it takes.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: It is. If it wasn't a big deal, I probably would have said no to playing it because scheduling-wise, it's not the best schedule. Who knows, you know, with security and all that. But I don't know if I'm taking a big risk to go. You know, I think it's been so long for me that I've been there, to actually have another chance to go again, I mean, of course I'm going to take it.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Well, I think just, you know, at this tournament, they've come with me other places, just sort of mixing it up. You know, it's not that unusual. I'm 28 years old. It's not that unusual to kind of be on my own and, and think I can handle it. You know, want to just try every possible option and give myself every chance to win a Grand Slam, another Grand Slam, to win Wimbledon. It's just, you know, a personal thing for me, just to really try and do it totally on my own.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, no, I mean, it's just kind of something that I've been maybe thinking about for a while. I just thought, you know, who knows how many more years I have to go. You know, for the past 28 years, I've been doing it one way, so why not maybe change it up a little bit.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I don't know. Who knows. I mean, if I'm like in the finals, I don't know, they have to come over and watch. I mean, you know, so. But we'll see.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I most look forward to being amongst the other athletes and just being in that atmosphere. I remember last time it was just -- I really felt just all the history, all the great athletes. I feel honored to be among them. It was just a really fun, fun atmosphere also.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Probably would be -- well, I've met Carl Lewis, I've met Bruce Jenner. I don't know, Greg Louganis. I've met them. So I don't know.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I don't know, because I guess they already won. I don't know. I guess those are big screw-ups.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I think it was just a scheduling thing. You know, first he's over here in Europe, I'm over across in the States. I think it's just maybe he had other commitments still with Swiss TV. Probably just couldn't work it out where I would get what I need.