WIMBLEDON

July 1, 2003

Jennifer Capriati

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Well, I tried to just draw in what in the first set, how I was playing. I knew that I could get control back. I could get, you know, control again of the match. And, you know, I was just saying to myself, "This is, you know, Wimbledon, quarterfinals. I've been playing a great match. I'm just gonna give it my all, right here." And, you know, the second set went by and got a little bit of a rest there, you know, the last game or two. So I just came back with a little more energy. I was just trying my hardest just to -- just to break her back, so...

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: You know, I think she really played well, and, you know, there's a lot that I couldn't do. I mean, she was just serving -- I got to give her all the credit for that. I think she had to play her best tennis there to raise her game completely to beat me, because, you know, I don't think I really gave her the match. You know, I held on to my serve great, except in the third set. And, you know, she had to step it up and elevate her game, I feel. And I was right there with her, except, you know, she just served well, especially on the ad side when I would have the breakpoints.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Sorry?

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I mean, everyone's different to play against. But, you know, I think the way I played today, I don't think anyone could have beat me. I mean, I felt like that. Even now, coming off the court, I feel like the only reason is just because, you know, she served the way she did, and no one else serves like that. You know, couple serves 119 miles an hour. So, you know, no one else could do that. I felt like I would have been able to -- the tennis I played today, I would have been able to really win and conquer, you know, in the match, and especially from the baseline.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: You know, it's -- I think there's some players that can. I don't know, you know, Henin, obviously. I mean, on grass it's tough because the serve is a little bit harder to return, especially out wide. You know, she plays like she did today, and especially the way she served, I think it would be pretty hard for anyone to beat her.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah. Yeah, I mean, I think I smiled out there a couple times 'cause it was just -- it was just funny, what was going on out there. And, yeah, I'm really -- I mean, I'm disappointed, but I'm not that upset. I know I played well and I gave it my best. You know, that's why she's No. 1. You know, it's a little frustrating just on her serve. That's really the only difference. But, you know, I just got to keep working harder and working to break that and see what I could do to stop that. But, yeah, I mean, I'm very optimistic after this match today.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I mean, I just -- I think I just got to keep doing what I'm doing, and, I mean, if it happens, it happens. If not, I know I'm doing my best and it's just there's, you know, a lot of great players out there. You know, I feel my tennis definitely is right up there and definitely can be at the top. And winning Grand Slams, I mean, you just -- you have to be in the right state of mind, the right physical shape. And, you know, I still think I can improve on different things. You know, hopefully, I mean, that will be the difference. But we just have to see. I'll just keep trying.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Well, I've commented on it every single time (laughing), because I get asked the same question every single time. You know, maybe I just let up a little bit in the second set. But, you know, got a little bit tired there because she started moving me around. And after not playing really difficult matches, and when all of a sudden, you're just having to run side to side, of course you're not used to it, so it's gonna take the wind out of you a little bit. I just think I didn't give it to her, though. She really had to elevate her game. And so that's why I give her all the credit for doing that, and, you know, just look forward to the next time. Just try again. That's what it's all about.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I mean, that's tough to say. Just, like, an all-around great tennis player, I'd have to say maybe Steffi is one of them, and even Hingis. I have a lot of respect for her, so...

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, it's a little bit difficult because, you know, I don't think there's much difference. I think it's just how big her serve is, is what gets her out of a lot of trouble and what makes her win a lot of these matches. So as far as if you take away that, just from baseline to baseline, I think, you know, I've -- I'm definitely up there. There's been others, maybe, that are just -- well, for sure that are, I think, better in that department.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: No, not really, no. I felt that, of course, I know she's gonna play great points and we're gonna have great rallies like that, but I won some of them, too. So it wasn't just, like, yeah, one-sided.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: No, because she would -- the only thing is the serve, and then, you know, she came up with some big forehands. But I think I came right back at her with some other great shots. And, you know, that she didn't expect. I don't know, maybe by now she expects, just like I expected, to be some great, great rallies and some great, you know...

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, I would say this is the closest I've been to beating her and really felt like, you know, I should have won, and, you know, that I was playing better today.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Well, no, I mean, it's just -- it's hard, like, to say because, you know, she's still playing. So if you just looked back in the history, I think she's, you know, got a lot more tennis to play and then probably, you know, over time, I mean, we'll see. I mean, she doesn't have to prove much more, but it's different because you can -- just she's got so much strength, too, and that's how she wins a lot, is her strength and her serve. But as far as, you know, if you took away all that, just baseline to baseline, just as far as technique-wise and all that, I think, you know, Steffi was one of the best, and Martina.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I don't know. Who's in it now?

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I really don't know. I mean, I really haven't been watching that much of the other girls, and really, it's very up in the air. You never know what could happen from this point on, so...

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, he's just a friend.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, I know. I know (smiling). No, he's been great. I think he jumped out of his seat a few times quite high, there.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: No. No, no, no. My confidence, I don't want it to get down, playing with him, so... (Laughter).