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| Capriati retires in second-round match with injury |
July, 30th 2003
SAN DIEGO - Acura Classic
Fifth-seeded Jennifer Capriati of the United States retired from her opening
match at the 2003 Acura Classic with a right pectoralis strain.
Capriati and Russia's Elena Likhovtseva had played for 12 minutes on Stadium
Court at the La Costa Resort and Spa when Capriati retired, trailing at 1-4 in the first set.
"The last two days I've been taking care of it (injury). I didn't
practice at all," Capriati said. "Even without hitting balls it still
hurt. You never know what can happen out there. I'm just afraid I could
injure it some more."
Capriati had received a bye in the first round.
Capriati, ranked No. 7, is the third player to retire
from the tournament since it began. Top-ranked Serena Williams pulled out of
the event Monday with a thigh muscle strain before she played a match.
It was obvious from the outset that Capriati was hampered by the injury. She
lacked control as she sprayed shots all over court and won only eight points.
"It mostly hurts on contact," said Capriati, who cited her forehand
and serve as the most bothersome shots to hit.
She was hurt last week during the Bank of the West Classic title match,
which Capriati lost to Kim Clijsters 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.
Capriati said the injury probably occurred because she's been
overcompensating for a tight right shoulder since Wimbledon.
She extended her winless streak to 29 tournaments, dating back to her win at
the 2002 Australian Open.
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