US OPEN

August 26, 1997

Jennifer Capriati

Q. Can you talk about the fifth game of the first set where you were trying to break back and went to deuce about six times and you lost. Was that an early turning point?

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah. I mean, who knows what could have happened if I would have won that game. But I think she had a lot of chances, a lot of games I was ahead. I probably overdid a lot of shots. I mean, it was just, I think, definitely from just lack of play. I mean, there was one ball that I let go and it landed like three feet in the court, you know. So I think, you know, who knows, if I would have won that game. Yeah, it was a pretty long game.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Uh-huh.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: No. It was the last time I was here before that, which was like, you know, '93 I think.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I mean, I felt really great being out there, especially, you know, from the crowd. I mean, they were great. I mean, I got chills being out there, you know, so it was pretty good.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I think I'm just going to keep working hard, just keep trying to get my game back, you know, just train really hard and then try to play a lot more tournaments.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: No. I'm not sure about, you know, the upcoming tournaments, the schedule, if I'm going to Europe or not. I mean, I think I'm pretty much going to go play those tournaments.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: It really didn't matter to me, either way, if I would have played her or somebody else. I mean, got to play everyone eventually. I mean, I get more psyched up when I play the top-ranked players. It's just like an extra incentive for me.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Oh, either way. I mean, just wherever I played, you know, was just fine with me. I mean, that's still a great court. You know, that still holds a lot of memories, that court.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I mean, I don't think I'm just a hundred percent of where, you know, I was when I was at the top of my game, you know, my confidence level. But I think I've been getting better with it. Just also, I mean, I think I lacked in fitness and stamina a lot. You know, that adds to not having like a lot of confidence, too. If you feel great physically, I mean, you feel like you can just, you know, get to a lot more balls, you know, play a lot longer points and stuff. I mean, that's something that I've got to work on. But I really haven't -- I couldn't work out, you know, because of my injury and stuff.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I think they were just glad I was back there and just it's been too long that I haven't been back there. So I think they just, you know, I was like the major underdog. New Yorkers like the underdog.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Do I see myself?

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Not really, no. I look at them and I just see them, you know. I don't see myself. There's just a lot of them, you know, a lot of young players.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: The new age rule?

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Really I'm not like that familiar with it, you know, so I don't really know that much about it.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I mean, I think it just depends on the individual, you know. It's just, you know, whatever, depends on the person. Everyone's different, so.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Old?

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: No. It didn't really make me feel old. Everything was just like positive. I was just like happy that I could be there. I mean, it's just taken a lot to get there, so.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Well, you know, after everything's been going, like last night, I saw that whole ceremony and everything, the opening, it just like -- it just -- I mean, it was great to see. I wanted, like, so much to be part of something like that. You know, I'm just going to strive to still try to do that, you know, if I can. You know, I just want to reach my full potential and see where that takes me.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Well, I mean, I still think it's going to be hard, but I still think in my mind that, I mean, I can do it. If you put your mind to anything, then I think anything's possible. But it's still going to be hard.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I mean, I think I've just got to still keep positive, don't get discouraged, you know, hopefully if I just get myself in good shape and just, you know, all areas, stay positive, hopefully I'll just get over that hump. Then, you know, if I win one round, just winning one round is going to boost my confidence so much. I still think I can do it, so.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Nobody. Just my father.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Florida.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Well, you know, obviously I played here a few times. I know she's got that heavy topspin, you know, that slice. The last time I played her was on clay. That's, I think, more of her surface, you know, favors her more. So I thought, you know, I would just be consistent. But, you know, since I'm on hardcourts, use that to my advantage, really try to be aggressive, attack the ball, you know, not let her control me with all that stuff, just be patient.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah. I mean, that's what I tried. Overall, I think I played well. It's just lack of stamina. I was overanxious on a few shots. If I would have just stayed in there a little more, because the games were so close.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah. I mean, I just -- I've just been kind of waiting for like the right person, you know. To have a good relationship with someone, long commitment with someone, someone that I feel comfortable with. Just that person hasn't come along.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I mean, I've had a few coaches. Tom Gullikson was obviously I think the biggest coach that I had, for the longest. I had many good times with him as my coach. Paul McNamee has coached me. There's been a few coaches.

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