Day 4 - Jennifer Capriati
Thursday, May 30, 2002
J. CAPRIATI/A. Frazier 6-4, 6-3
Q. At one point during the match you were having trouble during your serve. There were a series of breaks in a row. Does that disturb your rhythm during the game?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: It was making me a little bit mad that I couldn't hold my serve. I guess we were both -- I mean, she's a great returner, so I think that's the strongest part. But it was just going back and forth in the first set. I don't know, maybe it was just a condition -- just the conditions. Maybe it was a little bit windy, a little bit cold, so it was hard to get a rhythm. In the second set, I think, you know, I was able to hold my serve a little bit more.
Q. Are you concerned with the serving problems you've been having in both matches ?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: No. I think, you know, with every match, I'll get better. I think I need to concentrate more and just go and work on it in the practices, you know, just come out feeling better in the next match.
Q. Do you think that's something that's developed recently at Roland Garros or is that something you've been having problems with before?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I mean, my serve sometimes, you know, it's not consistent. Overall, I think it's been okay. Here, I don't know, maybe it's just, you know, not getting a lot of match practice time and I just kind of don't have a rhythm. Just I think it will get better.
Q. How is it like to play against the Americans two games in a row? Is it hard? Does it make any difference?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: No, it makes no difference. I'm not playing my opponent, I'm just trying to play the ball.
Q. What are the sort of external things that happen throughout the week that you know you're going to play well? Is it you feel focused, you're getting a lot of rest? What is it for you that makes all things fire right?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: It's a matter of the way I feel, if I'm feeling in shape or if I've put in the time before. You know, my body feels good. Everything goes the way it's supposed to go. It helps with the conditions also, if they're good, the weather. You know, there's not really delays, all that, because that can throw you off. I mean, if the people I want there are there also, I mean, that helps. You know, havin g good communication with a guy I'm talking to (laughter). No, just mainly it's the physical part, if I'm feeling well physically.
Q. Lot of sort of other things come into play to bring it in for you?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah. I mean, of course, not everything is going to go perfect and your way, so I think you have to improvise a lot on the court. You just have to mentally block things out and just concentrate on what you're doing.
Q. Where are you fitness-wise now?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I feel pretty good. About the same as last year, I think. Going into the second week, I think it was the same thing last year, that by the second week I was really feeling good. Hopefully I'll get a lot of matches, some good matches. By the second week, you know, ho pefully I'll be at the same place.
Q. Some players really love to work out off the court and stuff. Venus Williams says she has to drag herself to do anything. What are you like?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: It depends. If I'm getting good matches, and the matches are not too easy, they're not too quick, then that's fine. If they are, I like to get some workouts. I'll probably hit again today. Tomorrow's a day off. I mean, during the tournament, I think it's good to do a little something, but you never want to do too much. I mean, everyone's different. I mean, you should have done it already before coming into this. Sometimes with the weather and the rain delay, it kind of feels like a little sloppy.
Q. Is it a special feeling or pressure for you to be back in Paris?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Yeah. I mean, I've always loved playing here - especially last year was a great memory for me. You know, I seem to be playing well here. I love the center court. I think it's one of the greatest courts out of all the Grand Slams and all the tournaments. I just love being out there.
Q. Is Roland Garros the main goal of your season?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Well, I think it's one of them. I mean, of course, I would love to win all the Grand Slams. You know, I still have not won Wimbledon or US Open. I mean, I think they're all special.
Q. Speaking of Paris, you've been coming here for so many year s, and years ago there was the high profile tour, touring around as a kid, but on your off days when you have time to get out into the city, is there a sight in Paris or aspect of Paris that you particularly like yourself?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: That's one of the things I don't do a lot is on the off days go around and see a lot of things. I mean, on those days I just kind of like to relax and stay in my hotel, maybe do a little bit of shopping. I've never been to the Louvre, believe it or not. This year I'd like to make it. I'm staying near the Champs Elysees. Maybe try to go somewhere else.
Q. They have the Venus de Milo in the Louvre. Maybe they'll have a st atue of you maybe.
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Maybe.
Q. Serena was wearing the colors of the Cameroons the other day. Do you have a favorite sports team outside of tennis, if you had to put a No. 1, favorite sports team outside of tennis?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Sports team?
Q. Yes.
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Well, I'll be cheering for the US soccer team, that's for sure, since I'm American. I mean, I guess I like the Bucks, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hopefully they'll do better. I guess the LA Kings, hockey, maybe the Dallas Stars.
Q. You're not going to ask Fila to make a pewter and orange outfit for you for the Tampa Bay Bucks?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: No. Maybe the socks. Maybe I'll want the socks.
Q. Can you just offer your thoughts on playing Evie Dominikovic next round?
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Is that who I play next round?
Q. Yes.
JENNIFER CAPRIATI: I guess I've played her before on a different surface, on a hard surface. I think she's a solid player. She's a good player. She moves well, has a good serve. Can't underestimate anybody. I mean, I don't know how she's playing on the clay. You know, like I said, I just play the ball, you know, try to just play my game. I think hopefully it will just be okay, see how it goes. I don't know what kind of tactic, if she's going to be serve and volleying on the clay. Just have to be ready for anything.