US OPEN

August 26, 2003

Jennifer Capriati

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: You know, it's disappointing not to have every top player, all the top players, playing. As a competitor, that's what I want, is to have everyone playing. The opportunity, I don't know. You know, it's tough when every top player is not in the field. And it would be the same, I think as like either Kim or Justine, let's say any of the top players wouldn't be in there; it would be the same thing.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah. I mean, the first match is always tough, especially, you know, at a Grand Slam, just to get the nerves out, even though I've come off a win. It's a night match, you know, just to get the nerves out. It was a pretty easy match, so I couldn't really tell where I was. But, you know, I still feel like I was hitting the ball well. Just wasn't challenged at all.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I think just my fitness was really good, I was moving really well. I think what got me through was the first match, first two matches - especially the first one. Just to pull a tight one out like that, it just gives me a lot of confidence. I noticed right away in the next match that I felt more confident. You know, also my fitness level. I didn't come back and I wasn't tired or just fatigued physically or mentally. That's a good sign.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Really, you know, I'm not even just thinking about who is talking about who, all this stuff. I'm really not paying attention to it. I mean, you see there are other improvements with the other players. Just there's a little more depth. You know, just everyone seems to be playing a little bit better this year.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah. You know, regardless if I won or not, I think I was just feeling well. Really hadn't been playing bad the last few months, you know. I think I was just kind of getting back to where I was, you know, when I had the really good results. You know, when I feel good physically and mentally, it's amazing how things turn around in my game for me. I really just feel the ball and I feel more confident.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: No, no. Knock on wood. I mean, I haven't felt pain in a long time. I mean, it gets stiff, and I really have to take care of it and work on it. But nothing that's really painful.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I mean, I think it's -- you always, as time goes on, just evolve in different ways as a player. You know, maybe I'm a little bit different player now. Maybe I'm more aggressive. I think I'm serving better than I was back then. So, you know, it's different. It's kind of how the game is going, how you have to play the game, the players that are in it. That's how you just kind of adapt your game. And I think, you know, maybe experience. I'm almost playing better, I think, now.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Well, it would be great. But, I mean, it's not the thing that's going to make me or break me. You know, I mean, it would be wonderful just to win a Grand Slam in your home country - any Grand Slam for that matter. If I could get one more, that would be great. I'm not going to emphasize my whole career, my whole life, on whether I win it or not.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah. I mean, I just -- weather, you know, the Williamses are here or not, I always feel like I'm confident and have a chance to win, you know. You know, I think for all the players, they're probably feeling the same way. Like whoever's going to take this title there's going to be an asterisk next to it saying, "Oh, but the Williams sisters weren't here." You know, it's still a lot of depth. I think it's still going to be a very difficult tournament to win.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah. No one's going to remember 10 years from now, that's for sure (smiling).

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: No.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I didn't help in the design. But when I saw it, I thought it was great. It was just very flairy but classy at the same time. When I saw the shoes, I mean, I thought that was great, too, the matching shoes. I don't know, hopefully people liked it. I mean, everyone in my family, whatever, they all liked it. I wouldn't wear it if I didn't think it was good, so...

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Star spangled Jennifer. I don't know (laughter).

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: No. I'm still going to have the US Open collection to wear also. Just kind of depends what night I want to wear it.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, I watched all of it.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I think the whole ceremony was amazing and just wonderful and really special. You know, he deserved it. But it was sad, too. You know, it's kind of sad watching it. Really, it's the end. You know, I'm going to miss watching him play.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: No, not really, no.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: For his serve?

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Probably (laughter).

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Don't put ideas in my head (smiling).