03 settembre 2004
Capriati D Douchevina 6-0, 6-7(4), 6-3
Q. She looked a little nervous in the first set. Second set she kind of showed
a bit of her game. You came around in the third set.
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, I mean, it was a combination of me coming out
really pouncing on her. Yeah, she didn't -- she made quite a few mistakes -
probably nerves. So, you know, the second set, she definitely played a lot
better, a lot better. She came up with some really good shots. And I think I
just sort of, you know, let up a little bit or just, you know, started
getting into her game a little bit. And then the third set, I just really
took it up a notch and just basically played more aggressive, how I did in
the first.
Q. Are you surprised, I guess since you've been around long enough now maybe
you wouldn't be, that almost every single elite women's player is being
pushed in the early rounds?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: No, I'm not that surprised. I mean, you know, the girls
are getting better, they're getting stronger. You know, just more consistent
and able to hit bigger shots now. So I think that, you know, you should feel
lucky when it's really easy. You know, basically it's not that way any more,
you know, unless someone's just really having a bad day. But most of the
time, I think it's competitive.
Q. Were you aware before the match that she could play as well as she did?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: No. I've never even seen her play before. I'd heard some
things about her, but obviously it's still not the same as when you go up
against them. But, you know, I think -- I mean, she's good off the baseline,
got an unbelievable backhand. But, you know, she's a good little player.
Q. Are you happy that you were forced to three sets? You said the other day you
didn't want to go to three sets, show anybody that you might be vulnerable,
yet it happened today.
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, I mean, but it shows that when I go to a third set,
I'm even tougher (smiling). So, you know, you got to give the girls credit.
You know, it's a game. That's the name of the game, is to win. And it really
doesn't matter how you win or how many sets it takes, just win.
Q. Is there any way it can be a positive to go three in the first two
matches to prepare you for tougher ones ahead?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, I mean, you know, it's a good chance to really get
out there and get a good rhythm - especially if you haven't been playing
many matches. I think it's fine. I mean, at a Grand Slam you have a day off,
so it's not like it's, you know, going to be too tiring to play, you know, a
third set. It's not like you're playing back to back. So, you know, I'm not
thinking about the sets. I'm not thinking about the score. I'm thinking
about how I'm playing each point, you know, on to the next point, however
long it takes or doesn't take, you know.
Q. Is this the deepest women's tennis has - I don't want to say ever been -
but in your playing experience, is this as deep as it's been?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: It's tough to say. Maybe it's a different sort of tennis.
It was tough then, and it's tough now. But it's more -- you know, it's
pretty one-dimensional now. Everyone's pretty much solid off the ground, so
much power off the ground. Maybe you had more different styles of play back
then. But, you know, I think each generation has had its, you know, few top
players that have been really, really good. And now, you know, below the Top
20, you'll still have tough matches. But, I mean, there still is a gap, I
would say.
Q. You mentioned the one-dimensional aspect of it. How does that play into it?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Well, I mean,
you know, when everybody is getting stronger, the way everybody's training,
which I still -- I mean, I think that will be over any kind of style of
play. You can do it, I can definitely do it. I think it's exciting for the
fans also. But, you know, it makes it harder for you to come to the net and
kind of mix it up because, you know, you can't get to the net as much, you'll
be passed more easily, things like that.
Q. In that third set, it was still very close. You got up to a 3-2 lead. Did
you think the key was in the sixth game she missed her first serves and you
started to crush her second serves?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah. I mean, I should have been doing that, you know,
really in the second set. Just like I said, I took my foot off the gas a
little bit, you know, and I just was saying to myself, "Just go for it,
whatever the result is." I'm just trying to, no matter what the score is,
keep telling myself to like move forward and hit out on the ball. Because I
think in the end, in the long run, it's going to help me win these big
matches, if I can just really do it in the beginning matches, just no matter
what, you know, just kind of hit out on the ball.
Q. Concerned about some of the calls?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: You know, even from watching other matches, they haven't
been too good. I mean, I really think they should look into having the
Hawk-Eye on the umpire's chair. I mean, I don't see why not. I mean, this
level of the game, you know, when it's so close, and one or two shots can
make a difference, I mean, I don't think it's fair.
Q. Is there talk among you and some of the players, instant replay is such a
large factor, are you saying, "What are we waiting for?"
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah, I don't know. I'd like to know what we're waiting
for. I don't see why they don't start at least trying it.
Q. What do you hear are the reasons for not doing it? Delays?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Money maybe. I don't know. I don't see like this
tournament being short on money, you know.
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