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| Capriati promises she can be the best |
February, 15th 2003
DUBAI - Duty Free Women's Open
Capriati receives flowers from El Sibai on her arrival in
Dubai. It's no vain brag or boast. World No. 7 Jennifer Capriati has issued
a veiled threat to be there among the best as the Sanex WTA Tour progresses this year.
"I can beat anybody," Capriati said after alighting from a long
Lufthansa flight at the Dubai Airport late last night. "I don't think
anyone is unbeatable on the Tour," Capriati stated in reply to a
question on the oft-admired invincibility of the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena.
"I just worry about my game. I concentrate on how I am progressing in every
event that I participate," she smiled.
A first time visitor to Dubai for the Dubai Duty Free-sponsored Women's
Open, Capriati has a point to prove here. She's done it before during her
illustrious career, winning the Australian Open and the French Open in 2001.
"I believe in concentrating on my personal performance as there are other
good players in this tournament as well," she stated in reply to whether
she would reserve any special attention for Venus Williams here.
"My aim definitely would be to take them on one by one. That's the goal,
play them one by one and see how I am progressing," Capriati nodded.
"But I need to be consistent and I hope to find this consistency here so
that I can carry it onward on the Tour," she added.
The Dubai Duty Free Women's Open has attracted possibly one of the strongest
field in the three-year history of this competition. With World No. 2 Venus
Williams occupying the top slot, serious contenders for the title this year
include Capriati, Justine Henin-Hardenne and Monica Seles.
"I've heard so much about this place and all the excitement that goes
with it. I needed to play in a tournament with a strong field and so I chose
Dubai," she smiled. "I think this tournament is going to be a good
preparation for the others coming up in the near future... it's going to get
hotter on the tour," Capriati said.
Capriati was received at the Dubai Airport by Sinead El Sibai of tournament
owners and organisers, Dubai Duty Free. Another top player to arrive
yesterday was fellow countrywoman Monica Seles, who flew in with her mother.
Seles had a workout at the courts yesterday.
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