HOME DEPOT CHAMPIONSHIPS

November 7, 2002

Jennifer Capriati

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: No. Why?

JENNIFER CAPIRATI: No. Maybe I'm trying to bend a little bit more, but pretty much the same.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: In the beginning, it was difficult. I think maybe we were both a little bit nervous and trying to feel out each other and feel out the court, and, you know, it was a close first set, and I got lucky on a few shots. I think I played a good game, but at the end to make it 5-all when she was serving for the set, and then, I mean, as the match wore on, I think I got more confident and I started playing a lot better.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, I think so. I think I was pretty happy with the way I played today. That was the best match I've played so far indoors, and, you know, after this match, I'll get better.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Well, it's very important. You know, I think everyone needs it; otherwise, we couldn't keep going, so it's probably not long enough, but still it just gives us a chance, a few weeks, to really rest and just recuperate mentally and kind of forget about the tennis for a while and forget about all the stuff, the working out and training. You know, after a few weeks, I think slowly you start to get the itch to come back again.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Well, I had a great start with the Australian Open. I mean, I didn't win two Grand Slams like I did the year before. It's hard to come back and defend, although, in Australia, it was really good. I mean, I didn't have any great tournaments since then, but I think I have been pretty consistent anyway.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: There's been a few more losses and a little more pressure, and it's been disappointing. It hasn't been the whole up-and-up year, but, still, you know, I do enjoy myself and I enjoy the challenge. Who knows? Next year it could be a come-back from this year. Maybe that's what I need. Maybe I do it on purpose.

JENNIFER CARPRIATI: Yeah. I mean, it's very tough to figure out how to stay on top once you get on top, and, you know, I think I still have to go through a few trials on how to figure it out and get it right, and, you know, what to do when I'm at the top, and to stay there, and not to feel like too much pressure or expectations, you know, try to just maintain the same feeling whether I'm coming back or I'm there already. So if I get there again, we'll see how I can handle it. It's not like I'm that far behind. I'm ranked 100 in the world. I'm still pretty up there.

JENNIFER CARPRIATI: Yeah. I mean, I don't want to look at it too much that way and I think, oh, I have to do well here; otherwise, I'm going to start off and not be too confident next year. Either way, it would be nice to end the year well and be playing well and that's it, not put too much pressure or expectation on myself.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, definitely. I mean, they get a lot of negative press, but, I mean, when players are doing well, there always has to be someone to blame. Whoever is closest to the player is going to get blamed. You know, positive or negative, when you're doing good, your parents are great. When you're doing bad, it's their fault, so it's just everyone looks to maybe criticize something and that's the first place you can go. They go and say it's a family thing and a family feud. You never know. It could happen with any other coaches, too.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, I think. I mean, when you're younger, you sort of need your parents there also, but as you get older, you start to realize and you mature, and the parents have to realize also that there needs to be some separation. If you're 30 and still traveling with your parents, something is wrong there, so you just, you know, you need to find balance.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: No. You know, I think I'm professional enough now where I can separate the two, and I can listen to him as a coach instead of my father telling me. Maybe off the court on other things, telling me personal things, it would not be the same, but on the court, I pretty much listen to him as a coach.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Now, you're asking me that at the end of a long season. I'll say, yeah, it can get tough and tiring, but, I mean, it's fun also, and I enjoy it. I get antsy when I'm home too long. I can't wait to get back on the road and start playing and competing. It's fun.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Well, it's not like I'm tanking in the match. I'm still trying. It is tough mentally, and sometimes you just don't have it, and it doesn't happen too often. I don't make a big deal of it, and I don't think anybody else should make a big deal of it just because I had some bad losses.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Well, I've never had a good indoor record. I mean, towards the end of the year, I have more of those kind of matches. I guess I am tired or it's just tough. I don't enjoy playing indoors that much. I don't enjoy traveling to Europe. At that time, maybe I would rather be home and just subconsciously I think you can't help it.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Well, LA is a great city. I was looking forward to this tournament. I get to have some fun. I know some pretty fun people around here, so I can just enjoy it for what it is. Maybe I think that's why I played better tonight also and played better than the previous matches in the indoors in Europe. You know, I think I just played relaxed and loose out there.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I think the lights in here are a lot better than, say, the Manhattan Beach Club. They're a little farther away. They're not sitting right on top of the court, and it's fine for me. It's a great stadium. Just the whole atmosphere in there and the feeling in there. You know, that's where the Lakers play and the Kings play, so it can't be too bad.