May, 27th 2004
Capriati D Peschke 7-5, 6-3
Q. Little bit of a rocky start, but you broke back, took the first set, then
kind of got through the second pretty well. Happy?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Okay. You know, I did what I had to do to basically win
the match. You know, a little slow start in the beginning, first match. You
know, maybe it took me a little while to get going and wake up there a
little bit.
You know, she didn't give me a lot of rhythm. You know, kind of tough to get
into a rhythm the whole time. But I feel like I served well.
Q. In a match like that, are you going out to just win or are there things
that you're working on specifically that might aid in the second week?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, well, from the first match, I think I'm working on
things specifically, you know, kind of the whole mindset out there, the
whole game plan of being aggressive. I mean, can't expect it to just turn
on, you know, like later on in the week. I think you have to build up to it.
I think this is the time to get more confident, you know, kind of practice
those things in these matches for when you might really need them later on.
Q. Does it surprise you after the great
week you had in Rome that you've had a couple slightly jerky matches?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: No. I think the first match I, you know, played well. But
I think, you know, it's a Grand Slam. On red clay, I think everyone is going
to be tough. As you can see from other matches, you know, it's tough for everybody.
Q. A lot of empty seats in the stadium, particularly the first part of the
match. Does that make it harder to get started, get into the match?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: A little bit. Things are a little bit dead out there. It's
just hard to, you know, get going a little bit. But it picked up a little
bit later, so...
Q. If you had a choice, a little bit dead like today or some over-the-top
rowdy like your last match, which would you prefer?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Well, I think the quality of match was better in the
first one, the quality of tennis was much better. You know, doesn't matter.
Play really well, almost lose. Play not so good today and get through, you
know, with two sets.
So, you know, one match at a time. You know, I mean, got to forget about
each match once I get into the next one, the previous match, so...
Q. In terms of a crowd, the fans, that sort of thing.
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, it was like, you know, nothing, back to normal, you
know, so...
Q. What do you think the toughest Grand Slam is?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I mean, you know, they each are kind of tough. I think
the easiest one actually is Australia. Everything's pretty easy. And US
Open, it's a little bit tough conditions there because, you know, you're
staying in the city, you know, you got to wait around a long time. It's not
as convenient. And Wimbledon, you know, you have the rain. Here, you know,
it could be tough with the crowd.
I don't know. For me personally, I guess I would probably have to say
Wimbledon.
Q. Because of the rain and just the on-again, off-again?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, that, and because, you know, grass, it's just a
whole 'nother game basically. It's different out there.
Q. As an American woman, how do you feel when the American guys go out like
they did yesterday, set The Open era record for not getting into the third
round? Almost like always, or at least since '99, yourself and so many
American women players are the only ones left standing midway through the
first week.
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: You know, it's good for the women, I guess (smiling). We
know they'll be showing us a lot more, of course.
You know, it's a different game out on the clay. You know, most of them,
American guys, probably it's different for them, not your typical clay
courter, not like when you come over here and player the Europeans.
I think the women's, it's more like an all-court game, the way it is. I
guess it will just be up to us to keep America alive here.
Q. Speaking of America, could you talk about America and Jennifer Capriati,
the Olympics. What are your hopes, your thoughts on that?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, I mean, I really haven't thought about it too much.
You know, as it gets closer, kind of right now I'm just so focused on my
game and trying to improve things, just try to play better tennis, to even
see if I'll even make it, you know, in the Olympics basically to be chosen.
You know, I haven't made any decision yet on what you would do, if I would
for sure go. It's something I really haven't thought about. I think it's
something we've got to wait and see what happens, too.
Q. Last week, Lisa Raymond was poignant in talking about how she and Billie
Jean had healed their relationship after a tough go. Is there a chance in
the near future you might play Fed Cup again?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Never say "never" or "no" to that. You know, when it
comes, the decision to make, I'll make it then. I'm not ruling it out.
Q. Have you had any contact with Zina at all?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Not yet.
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