18/07/2012 12:25 CEST - International press clippings

Hall induction completes Capriati's turbulent journey (New York Times)

Jennifer Capriati’s tennis career — and her teenage life — took a number of twists and turns.

She started as a prodigy, was later sidetracked with off-court troubles, then rebounded to become a three-time Grand Slam champion. Now her journey is complete with her induction to the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Capriati was inducted into the Hall during a 90-minute ceremony Saturday.

Joining Capriati were the recently retired player Gustavo Kuerten, the former star Manuel Orantes, the tennis industry executive Mike Davies and the wheelchair champion Randy Snow, who was honored posthumously.
Capriati was presented by the 2009 Hall of Fame inductee Monica Seles.

“I still managed to overcome some adversity, win a gold medal, win some Grand Slams and stand at the podium at the Hall of Fame,” said Capriati, 36. “This is one milestone I thought I’d never achieve.”

As a 14-year old, Capriati burst onto the scene and reached the semifinals at the 1990 French Open. Three years later, drug and other problems sidetracked her life and career. She temporarily dropped off the tour after the 1993 United States Open.

She was arrested that year for shoplifting at a Florida mall and again the next year for marijuana possession. She also spent time in drug rehabilitation in 1994. She returned to the sport in 1996. Five years later, she reached those lofty expectations that were thrust upon her, beating the past champions Seles, Lindsay Davenport and Martina Hingis en route to the 2001 Australian Open title and her first top-10 ranking in seven years.

She was selected as The Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year later that year. The comeback did not stop there — she followed that by capturing the French Open and becoming the only player to reach at least the semifinals in all four Grand Slams that year.

The highlight match of her career was the 2002 Australian Open final, in which she trailed Hingis, 4-6, 0-4, before rallying to a three-set victory. Capriati also won a gold medal for the United States in 1992 at the Barcelona Games. Her career ended in 2004 with a 430-176 record on tour.