10 maggio 2004
Q. What can you tell us about your memories of playing in Rome since the first
time you played here?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: It was so long ago. I just remember like these night
matches that I would play here. It was just such a wild experience for me
and for the crowd, especially when I would play -- I always played Sabatini
at night here. So that match sticks out. Then when I played with Martina
once also, and the crowd was going nuts. You know, of course, I mean, my
family and everybody was here and it was such a, you know, big deal for me
to be here. Those kind of things (smiling).
Q. Are you still getting the same kind of buzz, can you still get the same
kind of buzz now from tennis?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, I mean, in a different way. I mean, of course you're
only that age once and... But, yeah, it's still an honor for me to be here,
and it's still a pleasure. It's just amazing to me how time flies and how
fast it goes by.
Q. Do you learn to appreciate those moments now, as you get older, in a
slightly different way? Are you getting more from tennis now than you were
then?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Well, it's a little different. I mean, I didn't have any
experience whatsoever, and, you know, really no clue, you know, what was in
store. And now I'm here and I've made the accomplishments and I've, whatever,
won three Grand Slams. You know, I'm just kind of now, you know -- maybe
some other young player that's coming up is like kind of the same as me back
then and then playing sort of like "the legend," you know. So I can, you
know, see it as that and be happy with that and proud of myself with that.
Q. You were talking a bit in Miami about having the hunger back after having
that time away with an injury. Is that hunger still there? How excited are
you about this time of the year with the French and Wimbledon and so on?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I'm looking forward to it. I mean, this is the highlight,
you know, of the year really. I just feel like there's, you know -- I'm on
the rise and getting back to playing good tennis, and I just got to keep at
it. And, you know, I enjoy the challenges and look at this as another
challenge. You know, I wouldn't say it's another "comeback," because I
really haven't gone anywhere (smiling). But, you know, I'm sure people will
call it again, "Can I make another comeback?" So whatever, that's fine.
Q. I was late to arrive, so I apologize if you've been asked this. But can
you talk about the coaching change and how that came about.
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I haven't talked about it. This was just a few weeks old.
I think I've just been looking to just change things and kind of explore my
options and, you know, just try -- everyone has -- there's a lot of people
that know a lot about tennis and have good things to say. And I think that,
you know, I can just learn a lot and look to improve, you know, make the
maybe little adjustments to really take me to the next level and to get
maybe a different perspective on things. I think Heinz - we'll see , but I
think he's a person that will be able to do that. So we haven't made like a
long-term commitment, but sort of these next run of tournaments I'm going to try.
Q. Through to Wimbledon?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah.
Q. Did you get to know him much when he was with Steffi? What did you
appreciate of what he gave to Steffi's game?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I didn't know him that well. Just a couple times when we
would practice together, obviously, he was there. And then, you know, I knew
him from being around the last year or so, you know, when he was with Jelena.
He's interviewed me a couple times for Eurosport. But, you know, I never
talked to him or didn't listen to him on kind of things he would tell Steffi.
But, obviously, I think he was a good coach and, you know, a good coach is
able to adapt to, you know, different players, too. I'm not Steffi Graf
anyways, for sure, and, you know... So we're all different. I think he was a
player himself, so that makes him a little bit more understanding, I think,
also, and kind of knows what's going on out there. You know, it's not
anything that's going to be too complicated, I think, you know. It's a
pretty simple game. You know, whatever... If he can say -- maybe we'll just
kind of "click," you know, for me, so...
Q. Perhaps a painful moment for you was at the US Open last year. You were
two points away from winning against Justine. Were you thinking, "There must
be something extra I can add to get over things like this"?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Well, there's been a lot of matches like that where I've
just been so close. So it's like, you know, "What is missing? What am I
doing that's not helping me to get over that?" And, you know, if someone can
come in and just sort of like help you see things in a different way, in a
perspective or, you know, just whatever, give you more confidence in those
situations or just learn how to deal with it a little bit better, I mean...
Because if it's something I'm going through, a phase, just to kind of get
through it, you know. And it's hard to see things when you're close with
your family, or to listen, because it's just like there's no separation. So
maybe, you know, for someone on the outside to give a clearer picture and be
able to understand it better - even myself, you know. So, you know, it's a
good thing. I think it's positive. I've been in those matches, those close
matches, and it's like if I'm that close, then, you know, I will get to the
point eventually, I think, of where I'm just going to reach the full -- the
highest point from that, so...
Q. Is this sort of a separation?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: No. I think I will, you know -- to me, it looks more like
a team, putting together a team. And just, you know, my parents will always
be there, my dad will always be there. I mean, you know, they give me the
support, the love that I need. And, you know, it's just adding another
dimension to the team just, you know, 'cause why not, you know? If there are
smart people out there that can, you know -- you can ask for some help or a
way to look at things, and better things...
Q. A question about Serena Williams. For other players like you, has she
lost some of the intimidation that she had at the time when she won four
straight Grand Slams in a row after her recent pause, or is she still the
same player?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I think she's still the same player. I mean, she still
has a presence to me - and I think among a lot of the other players, too.
Q. If this is the start of a mini-comeback, what did you learn last time
that you can use this time?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: (Smiling). I mean, I'm really not "coming back," you know...
Q. Say if you were.
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Oh, gosh. I got to go (laughing). I just, you know, I
mean, use what I have learned, and that out there it's like -- it is like
another world playing out there. It's just really -- it's sometimes you make
it more than what it actually is. That's why maybe you feel too much
pressure, nervous, and all this stuff. And, really, like it's about you out
there, and really it's just about playing tennis. And just got to, you know,
filter out all the stuff that's really not important and, you know, kind of
if it weighs me down and not be able to play the best. And just that I like
coming from behind, I guess. It's good (smiling).
Q. With all the injuries going on at the moment - Kim, Justine - what's your
take on the French Open and your chance at the French Open?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Well, it's kind of funny. Last year, without the
Williamses, you were asking me what the take was. And now it's without the
Belgian girls, "what the take is." But they're there, so... I think that
there's a lot of good players still, I mean, that are left in the draw. It
will give someone else a chance (smiling).
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