07 gennaio 2003
Panova D Capriati 4-6, 6-4, 7-5
Q. Tough way to start the year again.
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, so... But it is the start of the year, my first
match back. So it's to be expected that I'm not going to play the greatest
my first match.
Q. Is she a tough opponent as a first match?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, I think in these conditions it's tough because she
gets a lot of balls back, and, you know, she's consistent. So, you know, it's
the first match and you're trying to find your rhythm, find your groove.
She's difficult to play because she doesn't give you many chances.
Q. You don't seem overly concerned. You're not? Are you concerned?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: No, I mean...
Q. Go on.
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, I mean, what can I do? I mean, I've just got to
forget about it and think about next week.
Q. How much does this set you back for next week?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Well, it doesn't really set me back at all. I mean, I
just got a good match in, and just have more time to practice now and get
used to the conditions over there.
Q.
Would you have preferred to have more matches?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: It really doesn't matter either way. I think I will still
feel comfortable.
Q. Did you have trouble with your eyes out there, with the glare? You've had
eye surgery recently?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah.
Q. How's it going?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: It's fine. I mean, I think it's pretty difficult for
anyone to kind of see out there with the glare. You can't really wear
glasses. So it's something that I tried, and it works.
Q. You weren't missing by too far on your groundstrokes. Are you happy with
where your game is at, despite the loss?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah. I mean, it's tough to really gauge, you know, with
the wind and the conditions. I mean, it's like impossible to see where your
game's really at. I mean, everything's just going all over the place out
there. It's just the conditions are really tough. And I, you know, have
trouble with this tournament every year, so that's why I don't let it get me
down too much. Because at least, you know, I know that this is the toughest.
If I can get through this, I can get through anything, so...
Q. Are you happy to be out of the sun now? You're going to get a lot during the
Australian Open, hopefully, as you progress. Are you happy to not be
subjected to the extreme heat down here?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Well, I think I'll still have some workouts, some
workouts and practice and try to run outside and try to get used to the
conditions. I came from home, and usually it's really hot around this time
and this year it was pretty cold. So I'm not really as used to the heat as I
usually am, so...
Q. Does Serena saying she wants to go through the season unbeaten spur you
on more?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I just answer questions about my game. I have no comment
about that.
Q. What part of your game do you think needs to improve between now and the
beginning of the Australian Open?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I mean, I think that was -- I was hitting out on my shots.
I had a lot of opportunities to maybe come to net some more, but I wasn't as
confident. And the wind, it didn't feel like I could gauge my game that well
with the conditions. So overall, I feel like I'm striking the ball well, and
I just got to, you know, be more consistent and get the rust out a little
bit.
Q. Are you able to compare your preparation this year to last year? Do you
remember where you were last year compared to this year?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I feel about the same.
Q. Does that mean you're confident of defending your title again?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, of course I'm confident. Last year I had a loss
here also. So, you know, you could ask me the same question, Does it set me
back? Does it this, that, whatever? But no. I mean, it starts -- for me, it
starts over in a Grand Slam. I think I raise my level automatically.
Q. Would you say you're actually in better condition this year? You were
coming off a slight injury at this stage last year going into the Open.
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, more or less about the same. Maybe the only thing
is just the heat. Maybe I got a little more tired out there just 'cause I'm
not used to it completely. But I think a few more days. And still, I mean,
the time change, I haven't been sleeping that well since I got here. I just
arrived about, you know, three days ago.
Q. Do you feel any more or less pressure going in to Melbourne after winning
the last two years?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Either way, I don't feel anything - more, less. I'm just
going in to play my game. I mean, the only pressure I feel is the pressure I
put on myself. Last year I was quite nervous going into it, and, you know, I
crossed that battle. This year I'm defending, but still, it's like I've done
that already so I'm not as nervous going into it.
Q. So in a way, if you're superstitious, it's good news today?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I don't know.
Q. Are you?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Not really. I'd rather lose here than there, that's for
sure, yeah.
Q. What was under your eyes?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Just some zinc oxide. It's supposed to be for the glare,
I don't know. You've probably seen a lot of baseball players, people like
that, football players, wearing it.
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