AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 13, 2003

Jennifer Capriati

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I guess -- I've never played her before? Are you sure? I feel like I've played her somewhere.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, I mean, I know the kind of player she is. I just kind of never know what to expect, you know. And she was just hitting some great shots there.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: You know, they felt okay out there. But, I mean, I would have to say the recovery time wasn't enough, and I feel like I just didn't give myself enough chance to fully prepare. Probably if I wasn't the defending champion, I wouldn't have showed up, and I probably should have considered that.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: She played well, but, I mean, that's the match toughness, the mental toughness. Maybe physically I felt like I was getting a bit tired, but, you know, she just got on a roll there. I just felt the momentum swing, and mentally and physically I wasn't strong enough I guess.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Well, I mean, in a lot of ways it's disappointing - of course, you know. But I guess I got to look on the positive side that, you know, I came here as a defending champion and, you know, maybe it didn't feel like I was at my best but I put myself on the line and, you know, took that risk. I guess I have to give myself credit for being strong enough to just come and, I think, you know, still be here and give my best and try to fight no matter what happens - even if I go out the loser.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I mean, from my eyes, the part about just my eyes, I think they're okay now. It's just basically, you know, I'm now getting back to feeling normal again. So it's just kind of starting from that. I would say, you know, a few weeks, maybe a month or so.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, I had the procedure done a week after I played in LA, and I had pterygiums removed in both eyes and I had stitches in both eyes. For two weeks, I mean, basically I was in the dark because I couldn't be in the sunlight because my eyes were too sensitive. Then by, you know -- I'm having late practices. By the time I'm already on the practice court, it's like four weeks already, so... You know, I'm not trying to make excuses, that's for sure. But, no, I have to say it had a lot to do with my preparation for coming here.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I'm not sure if it would have made any difference, or maybe just -- I mean, I was fine when I went out tonight. I wasn't really nervous - I mean just a little bit nervous at the beginning. But I don't think it would have made too much difference.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Because I couldn't see properly, and I guess they were getting worse. If I would have -- really the only time I can do it is in the off-season. I think waiting another year would have been too late.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: It's called a pterygium. It's not spelled how its sounds.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, from the sun. A lot of people do have it, but, you know, I had both eyes done at the same time so...

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Under the lights?

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: You know, it's just -- the glare, either it's sunlight or those kind of bright lights, they're still a little bit bothersome. So either way, you know, it wouldn't have made a difference.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, well, I mean, the glare I think probably affects me more than most people. But definitely the preparation.