Jennifer Capriati - 2012 International Tennis Hall of Fame Inductee
Jennifer Capriati’s tennis career spanned from her early teens into her late twenties with several incredible high moments that clearly warranted her induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame at the age of thirty-six years young. In an emotional acceptance
speech on Saturday in Newport, Rhode Island, Jennifer thanked her parents, her brother and others and acknowledged both her love for the game of tennis, as well as, her struggles on and off the tennis court. Capriati also talked about being forced to end her career because of injuries (i.e. shoulder) and not being able to walk away on her own terms. It was a well-written, heartfelt speech filled with plenty of Jennifer’s bright smiles, as well as more than a few tears.
Starting as a fourteen year old, Capriati reached the finals in two of her first three Tour level tournaments, won a pro title and ended her first year as a professional ranked eighth. Capriati started her career during the era of several other Hall of Famers including Graf, Monica Seles, who introduced Capriati on Saturday, as well as Gabriela Sabatini and Martina Navratilova. For the record, Capriati won three Grand Slam titles, i.e. 2001 Australian Open, 2001 French Open and the 2002 Australian Open in oppressive heat over Martina Hingis coming back from 4-6, 0-4 to win in three sets 4–6, 7–6, 6–2 saving three championship points along the way, one of the greatest comebacks in tennis/sports history. Jennifer also won an Olympic Gold Medal in Barcelona in 1992 by defeating both Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario and Stefanie Graf. Capriati, who reached the top ten in her first year on Tour in 1990, as well as in 2001 when she became ranked Number One, a position she held for eighteen weeks. Jennifer was also a member of a winning Federation Cup team for the United States in 2000. By the end of her career in 2004, Capriati had a career singles record of 430-176 and had won fourteen singles titles and one doubles title.
Congrats Jennifer – we’re so proud of you and happy for you!
Starting as a fourteen year old, Capriati reached the finals in two of her first three Tour level tournaments, won a pro title and ended her first year as a professional ranked eighth. Capriati started her career during the era of several other Hall of Famers including Graf, Monica Seles, who introduced Capriati on Saturday, as well as Gabriela Sabatini and Martina Navratilova. For the record, Capriati won three Grand Slam titles, i.e. 2001 Australian Open, 2001 French Open and the 2002 Australian Open in oppressive heat over Martina Hingis coming back from 4-6, 0-4 to win in three sets 4–6, 7–6, 6–2 saving three championship points along the way, one of the greatest comebacks in tennis/sports history. Jennifer also won an Olympic Gold Medal in Barcelona in 1992 by defeating both Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario and Stefanie Graf. Capriati, who reached the top ten in her first year on Tour in 1990, as well as in 2001 when she became ranked Number One, a position she held for eighteen weeks. Jennifer was also a member of a winning Federation Cup team for the United States in 2000. By the end of her career in 2004, Capriati had a career singles record of 430-176 and had won fourteen singles titles and one doubles title.
Congrats Jennifer – we’re so proud of you and happy for you!
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