US OPEN

September 2, 2002

Jennifer Capriati

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, especially under these conditions, waiting around. I thought maybe I would lose a little bit of the edge I'd been having. I still felt pretty sharp out there.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: As a tennis player, you get used to it, just from being around so long. You've just got to get used to it. Just try to eat at the right times, just try to find some place to rest, you know, get some treatment, just kind of do stuff to keep you busy but not too busy where you get tired.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I heard.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: No.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, it does.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Not really, no. You know, that was one time. I've reached other milestones, I think, that go way past that now. Yeah, I don't even think about it.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah. I mean, I can't believe they showed it again today. Yeah, they've showed it before other times, not even during The Open. Maybe because I played in it, I don't think it's as great as everyone says. I don't see it.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: It doesn't matter to me. I mean, they're both going to be tough. Maybe have a better record against Clijsters. Maybe her game's a little bit easier for me because Mauresmo, you know, she just throws so much at you. It's not what you're used to playing against all the time. It doesn't matter, though. It would be nice to play her again and try to get revenge, especially here and in a Grand Slam. I want to play well. I mean, it doesn't matter. I look at them both the same way.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I think I've still had a great year. A lot of people would love to have my year that I've had. You know, for me, some matches are disappointing because I think I was really close, I could have had some wins. I mean, I've got to give credit to those that I've lost to and have had a better year. Serena has had a better year. She's just beeen better than me this year. It hasn't really been on my part that I've played so bad. You know, maybe I had some losses here and there. It's tough to be consistent. You know, that's fine, because it's making me more motivated for this tournament, I think. That's why I feel like I'm playing better than I have in a long time.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I think in Wimbledon, she just had an unbelievable day. Like Agassi, who he lost to. When someone's playing in the zone, you know, there's just nothing you can do. But she's always been a talented player. She's given me tough matches. Maybe mentally she hasn't been as focused and as concentrated so she would kind of be inconsistent. The last couple times that I played her and lost to her, you know, she really hasn't given free points. I notice that she's serving better, with more pace and more consistency. Even her second serves are as good as her first it seems like a lot of times. She's obviously gotten in better shape. It's tough to get the ball past her.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Not really. Just been kind of doing the same thing, maybe at a more intense level when I've been home, just taking the time at home to really push myself.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah. I think so. I mean, I feel like I have a lot more tennis - better tennis - left. I think the level I'm playing at right now, I mean, we'll have to see once I get to those tougher opponents. But I think I'll be pushed to that level. That's what I need to bring it out.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: It's tough. I mean, with the adrenaline and everything, just the way the match is going, sometimes it just automatically happens. Even when an opponent is playing really well, you can sometimes just feed off each other, and the energy, it could be unconscious. Sometimes I tell myself that I need to play better or I need to do something, be more aggressive, hit harder, whatever. Sometimes you tell yourself, and it's just not happening, so you're just having an off day.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Definitely. I mean, I think I'm playing great tennis right now. I think mentally that's good for me. I'm really determined. I mean, I have a lot of desire to go all the way. You know, I want to make this one special. I think I have the same kind of feeling, the same kind of focus as I did when I, you know, won the French last year, and the first Australia. I mean, I was just kind of in that zone. So I don't think it's going to be anything on my part that's going to let me down. I mean, who knows, if my opponent is better and beats me. I think someone will really have to beat me for me to lose.