TNT Sports
Capriati back in business
By
Published 20/05/2004 at 13:23 GMT+1
Two months ago the thought of Jennifer Capriati winning another Grand Slam was as likely as Steffi Graf coming out of retirement, but in recent weeks the 28-year-old has improved drastically and her form suggests that next week's French Open, a title she
Eurosport
Image credit: TNT Sports
The American was forced to pull out of the Australian Open and Indian Wells tournaments with a back injury and early round exits in a number of tour events, didn't inspire her fans with confidence.
At the end of April, Capriati enlisted the help of Swiss coach Heinz Günthardt, who worked with Steffi Graf, at the German Open, and the results started to come.
At the Berlin tournament, the former world number one recorded her first win of the year over a top-ten player, defeating world number five Anastasia Myskina to set up a semi-final clash with France's Amelie Mauresmo.
Capriati lost that match 6-2 6-0, but seven days later at the Italian Open in Rome she went all the way through to the final, her first in 11 attempts.
A 6-4 6-4 semi-final victory over compatriot Serena Williams ended a run of eight consecutive defeats stretching back nearly three years.
So who or what has made the difference?
Capriati has been quick to praise the work of Günthardt, crediting him with instilling a new mental toughness in her.
"Other matches against her [Williams] have been like this: I've led 5-1 or 5-2 and then let it slip away," she said.
"Working with him has helped me to keep the momentum going and the belief in myself."
Another factor is that Stefano, Capriati's father who coached his daughter from the age of five, has now drifted into the shadows.
Leaving Günthardt and Capriati without the pressure and their jobs easier.
While a number of champions have ripped up the form guide in the past and silenced their critics, Capriati's decision to employ Graf's former coach is a step in the right direction to adding a fourth major singles crown to her collection.
As Capriati says: "I feel like I'm there. At least I have the experience of being in a Grand Slam final and winning it."
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement