May, 2nd 2005
Anne Worcester wants to make it clear that even though Pilot
Pen Tennis is actively pursuing a men's tournament for later this
summer, the women's event will in no way drop on her priority list.
She hopes Monday's news gets that point across.
The tournament director announced the commitments of five players, including a
worldwide star, two top-five players and the tournament's defending champion.
Jennifer Capriati, a 29-year-old American and former Pilot Pen champion,
heads the list of early entries introduced shortly after players became
eligible to choose their tournaments for the second half of the season. No.
3-ranked Amelie Mauresmo, No. 5 Elena Dementieva, 2004 champ Elena Bovina
and No. 12 Nadia Petrova have also joined the field.
"This is a very clear message to the public that regardless of what happens
with the men's event, women's tennis (in New Haven) is alive and well,"
Worcester said. "I've been trying to say that all along, but without players,
it's not as powerful. To have this kind if an early entry list is really
great for Connecticut."
Capriati, who won in New Haven in 2003, has three Grand Slam singles
titles and was a U.S. Open semifinalist last year. She has been out most of
2005 with a shoulder injury, but she hopes to be ready for the summer
hardcourt season. She played in New Haven last year and was beaten in the
quarterfinals by finalist Nathalie Dechy. Capriati's presence is important
to any tournament.
"She wants to play where she's comfortable, and it's a huge compliment to
the Pilot Pen and the fans," said Worcester, who added that she was
surprised Capriati commited so early. "No matter where Jennifer Capriati is
in the rankings, she's one of the most beloved tennis players of all time.
Anyone who's ever had to overcome obstacles in their lives identifies with
her." Worcester said she'll continue to pursue top players like the Williams
sisters, Maria Sharapova, Lindsay Davenport, Justine Henin-Hardenne and Kim
Clijsters, who have finally all been relatively healthy at the same time.
Venus and Serena Williams, Sharapova and Clijsters plan to play in Canada
the week before the Pilot Pen, and Davenport has asked Worcester to keep a
wild card available into the summer. Last year Davenport was an early entry
and last-minute withdrawal.
For tennis fans, Dementieva and Mauresmo are significant announcements.
Dementieva, a 23-year-old Russian, was a Pilot Pen semifinalist last year
who showed guts two weeks later by reaching the U.S. Open final with a bad
leg, beating Mauresmo along the way. Her serve aside, she's as technically
sound as any player on Tour.
Petrova has yet to reach her substantial potential, and Bovina used her
powerful game to beat Dechy in a thrilling three-set final last year.
"In any sport, having your defending champion is important," Worcester said.
"As I told (Bovina) when I met with her in Miami, 'You definitely made more
than a few fans in New Haven and everybody would love to see you come back.'
She played all of her matches here with such heart."
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