June, 4th 2002
Capriati D Dokic 6-4, 4-6, 6-1
Q. Two questions about the lighting out there. Number one, have you ever
played a Grand Slam match in lighting that was that dim? Was it affecting
your game?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Well, those are good questions because, yes -- first, no,
I haven't played in a Grand Slam match that's been that dim and dark. Maybe
if scheduling would have been a little bit different, we would have played
on the center court, maybe a little bit earlier, or split it up a little
bit, the matches, it would have been better. But I think in the second set,
I was starting to struggle. I really had to focus and really concentrate in
the third. It was like I was trying to watch the ball more than usual
because, yeah, I think it was very dark, as probably the spectators,
everyone, saw, too.
Q. Women's tennis is rocking now. Serena mentioned that, once again, all
the quarters would be on Suzanne Lenglen. Do you think it's an insult to
women's tennis that none of them are on Court Central?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yes and no. It's sort of no because we're on Suzanne
Lenglen, and that's paying respects to her. Maybe that's why. You know, she
was a great female tennis player, and -- if the center court was named
Suzanne Lenglen, maybe they would do it the opposite. They need to name the
center court Suzanne Lenglen (laughter).
Q. If they did that, do you think they would stick you on Chatrier court?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I don't know. It would be pretty ironic. In a way, it's
just making a point that she was a great woman tennis player of those days.
They're trying to take us back there. But I think quarters, finals should be
played on a center court, on the main court.
Q. I see Matthew Perry is in your group in the stands. Can you confirm? Is
he boyfriend, good friend?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Just good friend, uh-huh.
Q. Back to tennis, you had a lot of defense to play today. Is this like
the perfect match to get ready for Serena Williams?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: In a way, yes. I'm happy it was a tough match, that I got
to do some running. If it would have been easier, I maybe would not have
felt as sharp going into the next match. But now I feel it's almost like a
really good workout for me. I feel better after those kind of workouts.
Q. How do you deal with Dokic, knowing that she's going for it on every
stroke she hits out there, it's either going to be hit or miss?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Right. That's why it's kind of tough to maintain a rhythm
out there. But, I mean, lucky for me I like that kind of game. I like
hitting the ball flat. That suits me. But unlucky is that she likes it, too,
because I hit flat. I think she really feeds off my balls. But I think I was
able to change the rhythm a little bit. I tried that, and it worked a few
times. Just I've played her enough. I feel like overall, shot for shot, I
think I'm probably more powerful than her. Really I feel like I can run down
her balls. As soon as I get the opening, I feel like, you know, I can sort
of get ahead and take advantage.
Q. Do you ever play sets or train at Wesley Chapel?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Huh?
Q. With her.
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: No, not in a long time. We used to. She's hardly there anymore.
Q. Go through the draw, looking at the match ahead, but now the match
ahead is Serena Williams. Venus may be lurking in the final. Does that feel
different, these are the biggest players coming up now?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, now we can talk about it. Before we couldn't talk
about it (laughter) now that it's finally here. I think I'm playing good
tennis. I feel confident. I came up with some good shots today, some big
shots. I served really well. I think I surprised myself on the serve. So
hopefully I haven't used all of them up and I'll have some of them for the
next match. I mean, we've played many times. She's beaten me the last few
times, but we haven't played in a Grand Slam in a while. You know, I don't
know how -- sometimes she gets nervous in the Grand Slams or maybe she
doesn't play as well, or I play better. You know, I'm going in there
thinking that she's really like the one to beat now, and she's really
playing well and on top of her game. It's going to be the toughest match for
me. We'll see how it goes. Then we can talk about the next match. For right
now, I mean, it's a pretty big task.
Q. How does it feel different, from maybe the beginning of the tournament,
when you are down to the last couple matches and you're talking about highly
ranked opponents?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I mean, this is what really starts to fuel my fire. I
really enjoy playing get -- getting at this stage of a tournament. In the
beginning, it's sometimes tough. You know, you really have to concentrate
all the time. Maybe you might think that the matches are going to be easy,
and you can lose a little bit of concentration. I think I've really improved
on that over the last few times. I've paced myself. I mean really now, it's
all been the preparation and giving up for the second week.
Q. I can understand when you and other top players say that numbers are
somewhat meaningless, even sometimes rankings. If Serena does win, she will
become No. 2, and Venus and Serena would be 1 and 2, and her dad's
prediction would come true. Does that have any meaning for you?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: No. I mean, really, I can't say anything until -- first
of all, it has to happen. If it happens, maybe I'll comment on it. Right now
there's still a match to be played.
Q. Do you have any kind of tactic that you think you're going to go out
facing off against Serena? Seemed like at least today nothing could stop her,
she won 6-1, 6-1, in terms of baseline, being aggressive. Are you going to
see how it goes?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Right, that's always how she plays. Mary, I played her in
Rome. Seems to me that she has a tough time moving around. You know, it's
kind of the same thing. So she really wasn't tested. Maybe in the last match
she was tested a little bit -- I mean, being so easy now, that could be to
my advantage. You know, I've just got to go out and play my game. If I have
a game plan, I'm going to think about it more probably tomorrow, next
practice. I really can't comment a lot on it right now. It's not going to be
any different. I'm not going to come out and start serve-volleying. It's my
game. Her game is the same way. I think we're pretty much almost mirror each
other a lot.
Q. You mentioned before the tournament began if you played Serena again,
when you get out in front, you have to step on the gas a little bit more.
Does that still hold true?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Definitely. I think I really can't let it slip. I mean,
that's when the time is to really concentrate hard and to focus more than
ever on those points. When I have the opportunity, just not let it slip away.
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