April, 30th 2004
BERLIN - Ladies German Open
Continuing to seek out
varied coaching voices, Jennifer Capriati plans to work with Heinz Gunthardt,
Steffi Graf's former coach, during next week's Ladies German Open in Berlin.
The eighth-ranked Capriati has a temporary commitment with Gunthardt for the
week of Berlin. The 45-year-old Gunthardt told the German daily Blick
he has already spent time coaching Capriati in Saddlebrook, Florida.
"I trained (with Capriati) already one week it in Saddlebrook," Gunthardt
told Blick. "Two days ago then the inquiry came (asking) whether I (would)
accompany (Capriati) in Berlin."
It marks the third time in the past seven months Capriati has consulted with
the coach of a former Grand Slam champion.
During the week of the WTA Tour
Championships last November, Capriati trained with Paul Annacone, Pete
Sampras' former coach. Two weeks ago, Capriati was working with Craig Kardon
at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston. Kardon, who previously coached
Martina Navratilova, Mary Piece and Lindsay Davenport, encouraged Capriati
to regain the aggressive baseline attack that helped her capture three Grand
Slam crowns.
"He's a very good motivator and he's positive," Capriati said.
"And he's trying to help me play my game, you know, to let that come out a
little bit more than what it had been."
A back injury has limited Capriati to four tournaments this year. Her best
results have been third-round performances in Miami, where she lost to Eleni
Daniliidou, and Charleston, where she suffered a 7-6(3), 3-6, 7-5 setback to
Petra Mandula.
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