March, 1st 2004
DOHA - Qatar Total FinaElf Open
DOHA (Reuters) - World number five Jennifer
Capriati says it is not the responsibility of the Women's Tennis Association
(WTA) to dictate terms to young players as to when, where and how long they
should play.
Capriati, set to make her debut in the WTA Tour's $600,000 Qatar Open, which
began here Monday, said it was not fair for the WTA, which organizes women's
professional tennis, to impose an age ban on promising players.
The American, who made her first appearance on
the WTA Tour at the age of 14, agreed with former world number one Martina
Hingis (news) that young players should be able to compete more often.
The Swiss player, who retired from top flight tennis in October 2002 aged
just 22 after being plagued by injuries, has criticized the WTA's age
protection rule that limits the number of tournaments young players can
enter each year.
Backing Hingis, Capriati said: "I don't think that it is the WTA's
responsibility. I don't think they should hold a player by the hand and
guide them. That is the job of family and friends."
"First of all, where are the so-called child prodigies?" she asked.
"I don't see anybody on the horizon. Maybe there could be one or two
exceptions but that doesn't mean that you should stop someone from going
forward by denying them the opportunity to play and learn from a young age."
Early burn-out
Capriati, who suffered from early burn-out and spent more than two years
away from tennis after a demoralizing first-round defeat in the 1993 U.S.
Open, said youngsters should be able to play a bit more against the top players.
"I think they should be allowed to play as much as they want. They should
know their limits and emotional support and protection is the job of their
family and friends, certainly not the WTA," she said.
Capriati, who is seeded number two behind Justine Henin-Hardenne at the
Qatar Open, said she was not unduly worried about her early exit from last
week's Dubai tournament.
The multi-Grand Slam winner was knocked out in the second round by Eleni
Daniilidou of Greece in straight sets in her first match since November
after a back problem.
"I wasn't really expecting anything big in Dubai. After missing the
Australian Open because of a back injury, I was keen to get back to the
court," said the American.
"I just wanted to break the ice and I decided to play in Dubai. I knew it
would be tough and difficult so I'm not upset or disappointed," she said.
"Now I'm feeling better and stronger. I won't say I'm 100 percent fit but
after playing in Dubai I feel I can hang in there and play my shots.
Hopefully, I don't have too much to catch up with," added Capriati.
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