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Jennifer Maria Capriati[2] (born March 29, 1976) is an American former professional tennis player. She was ranked as the world No. 1 in women's singles by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) for 17 weeks. Capriati won 14 WTA Tour-level singles titles, including three majors at the 2001 Australian Open, 2001 French Open, and 2002 Australian Open, and an Olympic gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.[3]

Key Information

Capriati set a number of youngest-ever records. She made her professional debut in 1990 at the age of 13 years, 11 months, reaching the final of the Boca Raton tournament. She reached the semifinals of the 1990 French Open on her debut and later became the youngest-ever player to reach the top 10, at age 14 years, 235 days, in October of that year. Following a first-round loss at the 1993 US Open, she took a 14-month break from professional tennis. Her personal struggles during this time (including arrests for shoplifting and possession of marijuana) were well documented by the press.

In 1998, Capriati won her first major-level singles match in five years at Wimbledon. During the next two years, she slowly returned to championship form, winning her first title in six years in Strasbourg in 1999 and regaining a top-20 ranking. At the 2001 Australian Open, the reinvigorated Capriati became the lowest seed ever to win the championship when she defeated Martina Hingis in straight sets for her first Grand Slam championship. She also won the French Open that year, claiming the WTA No. 1 ranking in October. After successfully defending her Australian Open title in 2002, she became a top-10 mainstay until injuries derailed her career in 2004. Capriati was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2014.[4]

Career

[edit]

1990–1991: The records

[edit]

Capriati won the Junior Orange Bowl in both the 12- and the 14-year categories, and is one of only nine tennis players to win the Junior Orange Bowl Championship twice in its 70-year history, which list includes Andy Murray, Jimmy Connors, Monica Seles, and Yishai Oliel.[5]

Capriati made her professional debut as a 13-year-old, reaching the finals of two of her first three pro events, losing to Gabriela Sabatini and Martina Navratilova in the Boca Raton and Hilton Head tournaments, respectively, earning her first two wins over top-10 players (No. 10 Helena Suková and number-five Arantxa Sánchez Vicario). She entered the rankings in April, at No. 23. Capriati made her Grand Slam debut at the French Open. She went all the way to the semifinals, losing to eventual champion Monica Seles. She then reached the fourth round at Wimbledon, losing to Steffi Graf. Later in the year Capriati won her first career title in Puerto Rico, defeating Zina Garrison. After this victory Capriati entered the world's top 10. She qualified for the WTA Championships, narrowly losing to Graf in the first round in three sets. She finished her first season as a professional at world No. 8.

Throughout the season Capriati set multiple "youngest ever" records. She was the youngest player to reach a tour final, the youngest player to reach the semifinals at the French Open, the youngest seed ever at Wimbledon, and the youngest player to qualify for the season-ending championships. She was also the fourth-youngest player to win a WTA Tour title. She was named the WTA Newcomer of the Year for 1990.

In her second season as a touring pro, Capriati established herself as a consistent top-10 player. She won two singles titles during the summer hard court circuit, defeating world No. 1, Monica Seles, in a third set tie-breaker in final of San Diego, and Katerina Maleeva in straight sets in the final of Toronto. She also reached two Grand Slam semifinals, at Wimbledon and the US Open. At Wimbledon, the 15-year-old Capriati stunned nine-time champion Martina Navratilova, defeating her in the quarterfinals in straight sets.[6] Capriati became the youngest person to ever reach the semifinal round of the tournament, losing to Sabatini. At the US Open, Capriati defeated Sabatini in the quarters but lost in the semis to eventual champion Seles in a third-set tiebreak after serving for the match twice. Capriati qualified for the year-end championships for the second time, reaching the quarterfinals. She ended the year at No. 6.

Capriati also won the only doubles title of her career at the Italian Open, partnering with Seles.[1]

1992–1993: Continued success, Olympic gold medal

[edit]

Capriati's 1992 season was highlighted by her victory at the Summer Olympics. She defeated second-seeded Arantxa Sánchez Vicario in the semifinals and came from a set down to defeat top-seeded Steffi Graf in the gold-medal match. Capriati next defended her title in San Diego, defeating Conchita Martínez in the final, the only time that Capriati won back-to-back singles titles during her career. She reached the quarter-finals at the Australian Open (in her debut), at the French Open, and at Wimbledon, and then she lost in the third round at the US Open. In Miami, Capriati ended Monica Seles's streak of 21 consecutive finals by defeating her in the quarterfinals. Capriati finished the year ranked in the top 10 for the third straight year, at No. 7. She also became the youngest player to surpass $1 million in prize money (Martina Hingis later broke this record).[1] Also in 1992, a Sega Genesis video game titled Jennifer Capriati Tennis was released by Renovation Products.[7]

At her first tournament (Sydney 1993), Capriati defeated third-ranked Sabatini in the semifinals before defeating Anke Huber in the final. For the second straight year, she reached the quarterfinals at the first three majors of the year. She reached the final of the Rogers Cup in Montreal, losing to Steffi Graf. At the US Open, the seventh-seeded Capriati lost her opening match to former top 15-player Leila Meskhi, her first loss in the first round of any pro tournament. Following this loss, Capriati decided to take a break from tennis. She finished the year ranked ninth.[1]

1994–95: Break from tour

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Capriati only played one match in 1994, losing in the first round of Philadelphia to Anke Huber. She fell off the rankings in June. She did not play at all in 1995.[1]

1996: Return

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Capriati, unranked, played her first match in 15 months in Essen, where she reached the quarterfinals, losing to Jana Novotná in three sets. She reached her first final in more than three years at Chicago, defeating Monica Seles en route, before losing again to Novotná in three sets. Capriati also reached the quarters in the fall at the Zurich Open, defeating Sabatini in the opening round in what was the last singles match of Sabatini's career. Capriati competed in her first Grand Slam tournaments since 1993 at the French Open and the US Open, losing in the first round of both. Capriati re-appeared on the rankings in April at No. 103, and finished the year inside the top 25, at No. 24.[1] She was named the WTA Comeback Player of the Year for 1996.

1997–98: Descent in the rankings

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In January 1997, Capriati reached the final in Sydney for the second time in her career, defeating world No. 9, Lindsay Davenport, en route to her only top-10 win of the year, losing to Martina Hingis in the final. She only reached the quarterfinals at one other tournament, Oklahoma City, where she lost to Davenport. Capriati finished the year at No. 66, losing her final six matches in 1997.

Capriati did not play the first half of 1998. By the spring, she was ranked below the top 200. She accepted a wildcard entry into the clay-court tournament in Hamburg, Germany, where she reached the quarterfinals, but then lost to Martina Hingis. Capriati was also a quarterfinalist in Palermo, Italy. In the first round at Wimbledon, Capriati won her first Grand Slam singles match in five years, before losing to Lori McNeil in the second round. Capriati finished 1998 ranked 101.[1]

1999–2000: Ascent

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1999 was Capriati's best season in several years. She won her first title in six years at Strasbourg, defeating ninth ranked Nathalie Tauziat in a quarterfinal for her first win over a top-10 player in two years. She defeated Russian Elena Likhovtseva in the final. She won her second title of the year at Quebec City, defeating American Chanda Rubin in the final. She also reached the round of 16 at both Roland Garros and US Open. She finished the year at No. 23.

At the 2000 Australian Open, Capriati reached her first Grand Slam semifinal in nine years before losing to eventual champion Lindsay Davenport in straight sets.

At the Miami Open, Capriati defeated world No. 6, Serena Williams, for her first win over a player ranked in the top six in four years en route to a quarterfinal finish. Shortly after, Capriati was sidelined with right Achilles tendonitis in April and an elbow injury in June.

Capriati had a strong fall season, winning her ninth career title at Luxembourg, defeating Magdalena Maleeva. She also finished runner up in Quebec City to Chanda Rubin and was a semifinalist in Zürich. These results propelled Capriati back into the top 20 for the first time since April 1994. She qualified for the season-ending championships for the first time in seven years. Her year-end ranking was 14, her highest in seven years. Capriati was also a member of the United States Fed Cup team, winning a singles and doubles rubber in the U.S.' victory over Spain in the final.[1]

2001: Grand Slam champion and world No. 1

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Capriati was seeded 12th at the Australian Open. She rallied from a set and a break down to defeat Monica Seles to reach the semis for the second consecutive year, beating world No. 2 Davenport. In her first Grand Slam final, she defeated top seed and world No. 1, Martina Hingis, in straight sets to win her first Grand Slam singles title. She was the lowest seed to ever win the title, and also the first player since Tracy Austin in 1979 to defeat the top two ranked players in straight sets at a major. As a result of this triumph, Capriati re-entered the top 10 in the rankings at No. 7, the longest absence (nearly eight years) from the top 10 in WTA history.

Capriati then reached the finals of the Cellular Cup in Oklahoma City, losing to Seles. After electing not to participate in the Indian Wells Open, Capriati reached the final in Miami, losing to Venus Williams after having failed to convert on eight championship points.

Capriati then embarked on a remarkably successful clay court campaign. She won her second title of the year at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston, South Carolina, defeating Hingis in three sets in the final. She then lost in the final of Berlin to Amélie Mauresmo, also in three sets. Seeded fourth at the French Open, Capriati defeated top seed Hingis in the semifinals and the 12th seeded Kim Clijsters in the final to win her second consecutive Grand Slam title. Her 1–6, 6–4, 12–10 win over Clijsters had the longest-ever third set in a women's final in the French Open; four times in the match, Capriati was two points away from being defeated. She was only the fifth woman in history to win the Australian Open and the French Open consecutively.

At Wimbledon, Capriati rallied from 7–6, 5–3, 30–0 down in the quarterfinals to defeat Serena Williams. Capriati's 19-match Grand Slam win streak ended in the semis at the hands of eighth seeded Justine Henin. Capriati rebounded at the Rogers Cup in Toronto, making it to the final before losing to Serena Williams after saving match point in the second set. Capriati then lost in the semifinals of the US Open to Venus Williams. Despite the loss, Capriati accumulated the best Grand Slam record of 2001, and she was the only player to reach at least the semifinals of all four of the Grand Slam tournaments.

Despite playing very little in the fall, Capriati became ranked world No. 1 on October 15. She lost her opening match at the WTA Tour Championships to Maleeva. Capriati would have finished the year ranked No. 1 if she had reached the semifinals. Instead, she finished No. 2, behind Lindsay Davenport, with a 56–14 record.[1] She was named the ITF World Champion, WTA Player of the Year, and Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year for 2001.

2002: Third Grand Slam title

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As a result of Davenport's withdrawal from the Australian Open due to an injury, Capriati was the top seed. She defeated the sixth-seeded Amélie Mauresmo and the fourth-seeded Kim Clijsters en route to her second consecutive final there, where she once again faced Martina Hingis. The match was played in very hot conditions, with the temperature exceeding 35 degrees Celsius. Capriati fought back from 6–4, 4–0 down and four championship points to eventually prevail 4–6, 7–6(9–7), 6–2. This was Capriati's third and final Grand Slam title.

In the spring, Capriati reached finals in Scottsdale and Miami losing to Serena Williams on both occasions. Capriati prepared for her French Open title defense by participating in events in Charleston, Berlin, and Rome, losing in the semifinals of all three. As the top seed at the French Open, Capriati reached the semifinals—before losing to the eventual champion Serena Williams in three sets. Capriati surrendered her No. 1 ranking to Venus Williams as a result of this loss. Capriati's streak of six consecutive Grand Slam semifinals was broken at Wimbledon, where she lost to Amélie Mauresmo in three sets in the quarterfinals. She also lost to Mauresmo in the finals of the Canadian Open, and in the quarterfinals of the US Open after having served for the match.

Capriati won only one match in the three European indoor events she played. She rebounded at the year-ending championships, reaching the semifinals for the first time, losing to Serena Williams. Capriati finished the year ranked third.[1]

2003: New Haven champion

[edit]

A week after the 2002 WTA Championships, Capriati had eye surgery in order to remove pterygiums (sun spots) from both eyes. Recovery from the surgery hampered Capriati's off-season preparation.

In the opening round of the 2003 Australian Open Capriati lost to unseeded and unheralded Marlene Weingärtner. Capriati was the first Australian Open title-holder to lose in the first round. She withdrew from the Pan Pacific Open to further recover from her surgery.

Capriati rebounded by reaching at least semifinals of the next five tournaments she played. She lost to Lindsay Davenport in the semifinals of the Indian Wells tournament. She then reached the final of the Miami Open for the third consecutive year before losing to world No. 1, Serena Williams. Capriati lost in the round of 16 of the French Open to unseeded Nadia Petrova. She reached the quarters of Wimbledon for the sixth time, losing to Serena Williams in three sets, her eighth consecutive loss to her compatriot.

Capriati then reached her second final of 2003 in Stanford, losing to Kim Clijsters in three sets. A pectoral strain forced Capriati to retire from her opening match in San Diego and pull out of Montreal. Capriati won her first title of 2003 in New Haven after Davenport retired in the final while trailing. This ended a 28-tournament title drought for Capriati, and was her first tour victory since she won the 2002 Australian Open. Seeded sixth at the US Open, Capriati reached the semifinal where she lost to second-seeded Justine Henin in a tight third-set tiebreak many experts believed she should have won. Capriati served for the match twice and was two points away from victory eleven times, but Henin prevailed in a three-hour marathon, despite Henin's serve being visibly affected by muscle cramps in her left leg throughout much of the last half hour of the match.

Capriati did not play again until the WTA Tour Championships when she lost in the semifinal to Justine Henin again, now the world No. 1.[1]

2004: Final full season

[edit]

Injuries plagued Capriati's 2004 season. A back injury suffered during the 2003 WTA Tour Championships forced Capriati to withdraw from the 2004 Australian Open and the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. Capriati advanced beyond the quarterfinals just once in her first four events of the year in Doha, losing to Anastasia Myskina in the semifinals. Her back continued to be an issue, forcing her out of Indian Wells and Miami. Her ranking dropped to No. 10 as a result of her injuries.

Capriati produced her best results of the year during the European clay-court season. She reached the semis of Berlin, defeating world No. 5 Myskina in the quarterfinals for her first top-5 win of the season, before losing to Mauresmo in the semifinals. At the Italian Open, Capriati defeated top seed Serena Williams in the quarterfinals, her first win over the American since Wimbledon 2001. Capriati moved on to the final, where she lost to Mauresmo in a three-hour struggle. Seeded seventh at the French Open, Capriati went on to the semifinals, before losing to sixth seeded and eventual champion Myskina in straight sets.

At Wimbledon, Capriati reached the quarters for the fourth straight year, where she lost to Serena Williams in 45 minutes, the most lopsided result of their 17-match rivalry. A hamstring injury forced her to withdraw from Los Angeles and San Diego, but she reached the quarterfinals of both Montreal and New Haven. Seeded eighth at the US Open, Capriati defeated Williams in a controversial line call quarterfinal match by the chair umpire, Mariana Alves, to reach her fourth US Open semifinal. The call was shown repeatedly on TV via video replay to be clearly wrong, which had renewed calls and subsequently successful implementation of line-call technology such as MacCam and then Hawk-Eye. Capriati then lost to fifth seed Elena Dementieva in the last four in yet another, her third, tight US Open semifinal tiebreak, replicating the result in the tournament from the year before.

Capriati had reached the semifinals of the US Open four times in her career (1991, 2001, 2003 and 2004), losing to a different opponent each time. Three of those times (1991, 2003 and 2004), she had lost in tough third-set tiebreaks, and two of those three opponents (Seles in 1991, and Henin in 2003) had then gone on to win the final and US Open championships easily in straight sets thereafter.

Following the US Open, Capriati lost in the quarterfinals of Philadelphia to world No. 11, Vera Zvonareva, her worst loss since 1999 (where she won only one game against Graf in Miami). Capriati failed to qualify for the season-ending championships for the first time since 1999 and finished the year world No. 10.[1]

Playing style

[edit]

Capriati was one of the first power players to emerge on the women's circuit in the early-to-mid-1990s, along with Monica Seles, Lindsay Davenport, and Mary Pierce. Her style of play was characterized by taking the ball early and on the rise, powerful ground-strokes, and an aggressive mindset on the return of service.

Capriati's game was built around her groundstrokes and movement. Her flat forehand, devastating when hit hard, was considered her biggest weapon, especially when she was stretched out wide. She also possessed a solid backhand. She was quick around the court, able to play defense as well as offense. Her biggest weakness was considered to be her serve. Her first serve was powerful but offset by a wandering ball-toss which often was thrown too far right, and her second serve was considered to be the most vulnerable part of her game. However, Capriati was known to counter her inconsistent serve with her exceptional return of serve.

Equipment and endorsements

[edit]

In the 1990s, she signed a reported $3 million contract with Diadora, and a $1 million contract with Prince tennis rackets.[8] In the early 2000s, her tennis court apparel line was manufactured by Fila.[9] She used a Prince Precision Retro 27 Midplus racket.[10]

Legacy and accolades

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Capriati was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2012 at the age of just 36, and is generally considered one of the game's greatest players.[3][4] A video game titled Jennifer Capriati Tennis was released for the Sega Genesis in 1992.[7] In 2001, ESPN named Capriati one of the world's sexiest athletes.[11] She was awarded with the Laureus World Sports Award for Comeback of the Year in 2001[12] and Laureus World Sports Award for Sportswoman of the Year in 2002.[12]

Post-tennis endeavors

[edit]

In April 2009, the media announced that Capriati would appear on the television reality series The Superstars. The show, described as a revival of the 1970s series of the same name, premiered on June 23, 2009, in a co-ed format, with Capriati paired with singer and actor David Charvet, best known for his role as a lifeguard on the television show Baywatch. In the first episode of the show, they were one of the lower-performing teams and were sent into a run-off in an obstacle course race against basketball player Lisa Leslie and actor Dan Cortese. Capriati/Charvet won their race and avoided elimination.[13] She withdrew from the contest after re-aggravating a previous injury.[14] In 2026, she presented Australian Open women's singles winner Elena Rybakina with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup in the Rod Laver Arena.[15]

Personal life

[edit]

Capriati was born in New York City to Denise and Stefano Capriati, of Italian descent.[16][17] In 1993, at age 17, Capriati was charged with shoplifting a $15 ring from a mall kiosk, which she has described as accidental.[18]

She was arrested on May 16, 1994, and charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession. She agreed to enter a drug counselling program.[19] In 2010, she required treatment for a drug overdose.[20] In 2013, Capriati was charged with battery and stalking after reportedly following and striking former boyfriend Ivan Brennan on Valentine's Day. The charges were later dropped.[21] In 2014, the state attorney's office in Palm Beach County, Florida, announced that Capriati had completed 30 hours of community service and four hours of anger management counseling in connection with the incident.[21]

Career statistics

[edit]
Main article: Jennifer Capriati career statistics

Grand Slam singles performance timeline

[edit]
Key
W  F  SF QF #R RR Q# DNQ A NH
(W) winner; (F) finalist; (SF) semifinalist; (QF) quarterfinalist; (#R) rounds 4, 3, 2, 1; (RR) round-robin stage; (Q#) qualification round; (DNQ) did not qualify; (A) absent; (NH) not held; (SR) strike rate (events won / competed); (W–L) win–loss record.
Tournament 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 SR W–L W%
Australian Open A A QF QF A A A 1R A 2R SF W W 1R A 2 / 8 28–6 82%
French Open SF 4R QF QF A A 1R A A 4R 1R W SF 4R SF 1 / 11 39–10 80%
Wimbledon 4R SF QF QF A A A A 2R 2R 4R SF QF QF QF 0 / 11 38–11 78%
US Open 4R SF 3R 1R A A 1R 1R 1R 4R 4R SF QF SF SF 0 / 13 35–13 73%
Win–loss 11–3 13–3 14–4 12–4 0–0 0–0 0–2 0–2 1–2 8–4 11–4 24–2 20–3 12–4 14–3 3 / 43 140–40 78%

Grand Slam tournament finals: 3 (3 titles)

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Result Year Championship Surface Opponent Score
Win 2001 Australian Open Hard Switzerland Martina Hingis 6–4, 6–3
Win 2001 French Open Clay Belgium Kim Clijsters 1–6, 6–4, 12–10
Win 2002 Australian Open (2) Hard Switzerland Martina Hingis 4–6, 7–6(9–7), 6–2

Olympic Games: 1 (gold medal)

[edit]
Result Year Tournament Surface Opponent Score
Gold 1992 Barcelona Olympics Clay Germany Steffi Graf 3–6, 6–3, 6–4

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jennifer Capriati

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from Grokipedia
Jennifer Capriati (born March 29, 1976) is an American former professional player renowned for her prodigious talent as a teenager, a period of personal struggles leading to a hiatus, and a dramatic comeback that culminated in three Grand Slam singles titles and an Olympic . She turned professional at age 13 in 1990, quickly rising to become the youngest player ever to reach the WTA top 10 by October of that year after winning her first title at the . Capriati's early success included reaching the semifinals of three Grand Slams in 1991—Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Australian Open—and earning a spot on the U.S. Wightman Cup team as the youngest player in history. At the 1992 Olympics, she became the youngest Olympic champion at 16 years and 4 months by winning the women's singles . Capriati's career was interrupted in 1993 by burnout and depression, leading to her withdrawal from the tour; she briefly returned in 1994 but faced further challenges, including arrests for and marijuana possession that year. She made a full comeback in 1996, gradually rebuilding her form with semifinal appearances at major tournaments, including Wimbledon in 1998 and the US Open in 1999. Her resurgence peaked in 2001, when she won the and to claim the world No. 1 ranking in October, holding it for 17 weeks, and she defended her title in 2002. Over her career, Capriati secured 14 WTA singles titles and one doubles title, compiling a 430-176 singles record, and contributed to U.S. Fed Cup victories in 1990, 1996, and 2002 with an 11-4 team record. Injuries forced Capriati to retire in 2004 after her last professional match that year, though she was honored as the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year in 2002 for her achievements. She was inducted into the in 2012, recognizing her as one of the sport's most resilient figures. Post-retirement, Capriati has maintained a low public profile in , with occasional involvement in commentary via , while navigating personal health challenges including an accidental overdose in 2010.

Early life and junior career

Early life

Jennifer Capriati was born on March 29, 1976, in to Italian-American parents and Denise Capriati. Her father, a former professional soccer player from who later worked as a stuntman and , and her mother, a former , provided a supportive environment focused on her emerging athletic potential. Although born in New York, the family lived in for her early years before relocating to , near Fort Lauderdale, in 1980 when Capriati was four years old, specifically to enable year-round training in a warmer climate. Stefano Capriati, self-taught in the after recognizing his daughter's aptitude, assumed the role of her primary coach and promoter, dedicating himself to nurturing her talent from the outset. Capriati's introduction to tennis occurred at age three, when she began hitting balls with her father, though she did not yet grasp the rules of the game. By age five, she transitioned to formal lessons with , father of tennis icon , at Holiday Park in Fort Lauderdale, marking the start of structured development under expert guidance. At age nine, Capriati enrolled at the International Tennis Academy in Grenelefe, , where intensive honed her skills and prepared her for competitive play. Her father's relentless promotion and coaching shaped her early years, emphasizing discipline and high expectations amid the family's full commitment to her pursuits.

Junior career

Capriati began dominating the circuit at an exceptionally young age, showcasing prodigious talent under the guidance of her family. By age 12 in 1988, she captured the U.S. Association's 18-and-under national championships on both clay and , becoming the youngest winner in the event's history. Her success extended to international competitions, including a victory in the Easter Bowl 16-and-under singles division. In 1989, at just 13 years old, Capriati achieved a series of landmark victories that solidified her status as a tennis prodigy. She won the French Open junior singles title, setting a record as the youngest champion in the tournament's history—a mark later surpassed by Martina Hingis in 1993. Later that year, she claimed the U.S. Open junior singles title without dropping a set after the first round, again as the youngest winner. Additionally, partnering with Meredith McGrath, she secured the Wimbledon and U.S. Open junior doubles titles, further highlighting her versatility. These accomplishments earned her recognition as the World Tennis and TENNIS magazine Junior Player of the Year. Capriati's rapid ascent drew widespread media attention and lucrative endorsement deals as early as age 12, transforming her into a household name and symbol of youthful excellence in sports. Appearances and in advertisements amplified the hype, positioning her as the future of . Buoyed by this momentum and her undefeated streak in major junior events from 1988 to 1989, she opted to turn in March 1990 at age 13, bypassing additional junior play to join the .

Professional career

Breakthrough as a prodigy (1990–1991)

Jennifer Capriati burst onto the professional scene in 1990 at the age of 13, making her debut at the of in Boca Raton, where she advanced to the final before losing to . Just weeks later, she reached another final at the Family Circle Cup in Hilton Head Island, falling to in straight sets despite leading early in the match. Her momentum carried into the clay-court season, where she stunned the field at the on her Grand Slam debut, becoming the youngest semifinalist in tournament history at 14 years old after defeating seeded players like Mary Joe Fernandez and Manuela Maleeva-Fragnière. Capriati secured her first professional title at the non-WTA Mount Cranmore Challenge in July 1990, but her breakthrough WTA victory came in October at the , where she defeated 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 in the final to claim the crown at 14 years and 189 days old—the fourth-youngest WTA singles title winner at the time. This triumph propelled her into the WTA top 10 the following week, entering at No. 8 and establishing her as the youngest player ever to achieve that ranking at 14 years and 235 days. By the end of the year, she had compiled a 37-11 win-loss record, earned $283,597 in prize money, and was named WTA Most Impressive Newcomer. In 1991, Capriati continued her prodigious rise with two WTA titles, starting with a stunning upset over world No. 1 in the San Diego Open final, 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(7-2), marking her first victory against the top-ranked player. She followed with a dominant win at the Canadian Open in Montreal, defeating 6-2, 6-3 to secure her third career title overall. Capriati also reached semifinals at Wimbledon—becoming the youngest ever there—and the US Open, where she pushed Seles to a grueling three-set defeat, finishing the season ranked No. 6 with over $500,000 in earnings and solidifying her status as tennis's premier teenage talent.

Olympic success and peak form (1992–1993)

Capriati's breakthrough continued into 1992 with her most prominent achievement to date: a in women's singles at the Olympics. At 16 years old, she defeated top-seeded in the final, rallying from a set down to win 3–6, 6–3, 6–4, becoming the youngest Olympic champion in history. This victory capped a strong year on clay and hard courts, showcasing her aggressive baseline game and mental resilience against elite competition. Throughout 1992 and 1993, Capriati maintained consistent deep runs in Grand Slam tournaments, reaching the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, , and Wimbledon each year, while advancing to the third round at the 1992 US Open before a surprise loss to Patricia Hy-Boulais. Her 1993 quarterfinal appearance ended against in straight sets, 6–3, 7–5, highlighting her competitiveness on clay despite the defeat. Similarly, at Wimbledon 1993, she fell to in the quarterfinals, 6–2, 2–6, 6–4, in a match marked by intense rallies and Capriati's powerful groundstrokes. These performances solidified her status as a top-tier contender during her teenage years. Capriati captured one WTA singles title in 1992 at the Open on hard courts, in addition to her Olympic gold medal. These successes propelled her to a career-high of No. 4 in October 1992, reflecting her rapid ascent and ability to handle a demanding schedule. Contemporary reports highlighted the mounting pressure from her early fame and intense tournament calendar, with Capriati appearing moody and disinterested at times amid the scrutiny of being a teenage prodigy. Despite this, her Olympic triumph and sustained major results demonstrated remarkable poise under the spotlight.

Hiatus due to burnout (1994–1995)

Following her first-round defeat at the 1993 US Open, Jennifer Capriati announced an indefinite break from professional in January 1994 to complete high school and address mounting fatigue. Ranked as high as No. 4 earlier that year, she opted out of the Australian Open, her first absence from a major since turning professional at age 13. She made a brief return in November 1994 at the event, winning her first-round match before losing in the second round, after which she withdrew from further play through 1995. This period marked a hiatus of about 29 months from her last substantial competition in September 1993. Media reports highlighted over-scheduling as a key factor in her burnout, noting that Capriati had competed in 12 events in 1993 alone, including quarterfinal appearances at the Australian Open, , and Wimbledon, alongside an Olympic the prior year. The relentless pace, combined with the pressures of early fame, led to early signs of , including a profound loss of passion for the sport that had defined her adolescence. Capriati later described feeling overwhelmed by the constant demands, stating that had become a source of despair rather than joy. To recover, Capriati entered a period of and rest, focusing on rebuilding her amid symptoms of depression. She sought professional counseling to confront the burnout, emphasizing the need to rediscover balance outside the court, though initial attempts were challenging as she grappled with self-doubt and isolation. This therapeutic approach, supported by time away from competition, laid the groundwork for her eventual return, though the hiatus underscored broader concerns in about prodigy burnout.

Tentative return (1996)

After withdrawing from her planned debut at the Paris Open due to a minor injury, Capriati made her sustained return to the unranked in February 1996 at the Faber Grand Prix in , , where she received a wildcard entry. This marked her first competitive match in over 15 months since her brief 1994 appearance, and nearly 30 months since her last substantial play in 1993. She advanced to the quarterfinals, defeating Kristie Boogert in the first round (6-1, 6-2) and Ruxandra Dragomir in the second (6-4, 6-3), before losing to top seed in three sets (4-6, 6-3, 6-4). This signaled a cautious re-entry focused on rebuilding match fitness rather than immediate contention for titles. Throughout 1996, Capriati competed in 10 tournaments, adopting a limited schedule to manage her physical and mental adjustment back to professional play. Her results were modest in the early months, including round-of-16 appearances at the (losing to , 6-3, 6-3) and the Miami Open (), as well as first-round exits at the and the US Open. Her strongest performance came late in the year at the event, where she reached the final as an unseeded player, upsetting world No. 1 in the semifinals (6-3, 6-3) before falling to Novotná again in the championship match (6-4, 3-6, 6-1). Despite these highlights, she played sparingly overall, prioritizing recovery over volume. Capriati faced ongoing struggles with confidence and fitness during this period, having gained 25-35 pounds during her hiatus, which she worked to shed through intensive training ahead of her return. These challenges contributed to inconsistent form, but she drew significant support from her family, particularly her father , who served as her coach and helped guide her emotional readjustment to the tour's pressures. By year's end, Capriati had climbed back into the top 40 (finishing No. 36), earning recognition as the WTA Comeback Player of the Year for her resilient efforts.

Ranking struggles (1997–1998)

Following her tentative return the previous year, Jennifer Capriati experienced significant challenges in 1997, marked by inconsistent results and recurring injuries that hampered her progress. She began the season strongly by reaching the final of the Sydney International, where she defeated Lindsay Davenport in the semifinals before losing to Martina Hingis 6-1, 7-6(4) in the championship match. However, her momentum stalled at the Australian Open, where she fell in the first round to Jolene Watanabe 6-2, 3-6, 6-4. These early setbacks were compounded by physical issues, including right Achilles tendonitis that sidelined her in April, a sprained ankle leading to her withdrawal from the French Open in May, and an elbow injury in June that forced her to skip Wimbledon. Coached primarily by her father, Stefano Capriati, during this period, she struggled with motivation amid these disruptions, ultimately compiling a 10-12 win-loss record with no titles and ending the year ranked No. 65. The 1998 season proved even more arduous for Capriati, as injuries and motivational lows deepened her ranking descent. Absent from competition for the first half of the year due to a lingering shoulder injury that required five months of recovery, she returned in March at the , advancing to the semifinals before retiring against in the third set with a strain. This brief resurgence offered a glimmer of potential, but she followed it with a first-round loss at the Miami Open to Magdalena Grzybowska 6-0, 7-5 and faltered in subsequent events, including early exits at the Open and other tournaments. With her father continuing as coach, the instability and physical toll contributed to an overall 8-12 record, no titles, and a year-end ranking of No. 99, her lowest since turning professional. By late 1998, Capriati reached a personal , openly contemplating full retirement amid the cumulative strain of injuries and poor form. In reflections on her off-season decisions, she weighed the possibility of stepping away permanently, citing the mental and physical exhaustion of repeated comebacks that had yet to yield sustained success. This period underscored the profound impact of her mid-20s struggles, setting the stage for a more structured resurgence the following year.

Comeback resurgence (1999–2000)

After several years of struggles with rankings and personal challenges, Jennifer Capriati began her comeback in 1999 by capturing the title, her first victory since 1993, where she defeated world No. 9 Nathalie Tauziat 6–2, 7–5 in the final, followed by her second title of the year at the Challenge Bell in , defeating 4–6, 6–1, 6–2. Later that year, she advanced to the quarterfinals of the US Open for the first time since 1993, falling to fourth-seeded 6–4, 6–3 after upsetting higher-ranked opponents in earlier rounds. These results marked a turning point, propelling her back into the top 25 with a year-end of No. 23. Building on this momentum in 2000, Capriati secured her third career clay-court title at the , overcoming Anne Kremer 6–7(5), 6–3, 6–3 in the final despite a challenging first set. At the , she reached the semifinals for the first time in nearly a decade, defeating in the quarterfinals before losing to eventual champion 6–1, 6–2; , the top seed, claimed the title by beating Davenport in the final. Under the tutelage of new coach , who emphasized mental resilience and a fresh approach to the game, Capriati refocused her mindset, contributing to a solid 26–10 win-loss record that season. Capriati's consistent performances, including quarterfinal appearances at Roland Garros and the US Open, solidified her resurgence and saw her climb back into the top 10, ending the year ranked No. 14. This period highlighted her renewed determination and technical adjustments, setting the stage for further success.

World No. 1 and title (2001)

Capriati entered 2001 seeded No. 12 at the Australian Open, where she staged a remarkable comeback by defeating top seed 6-4, 6-3 in the final to claim her first Grand Slam singles title. This victory marked the lowest seed to win the women's singles at up to that point and extended her winning streak from late 2000 to 10 matches. Building on her semifinal appearance at the 2000 US Open, the triumph symbolized a profound personal redemption after years of struggles with burnout and personal issues. On the spring hard-court swing, Capriati reached the final of the Tier I Miami Open but fell to 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(4) in a match that highlighted her improved baseline consistency and mental resilience. Transitioning to clay, she captured her first title of the season at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston, defeating world No. 1 Hingis 6-0, 4-6, 6-4 in the final to secure a Tier I crown and boost her confidence ahead of the European swing. At the , Capriati advanced to her second consecutive major final, overcoming a first-set loss to outlast 1-6, 6-4, 12-10 in a grueling match whose third set of 22 games remains the longest in Open Era women's Grand Slam history. This second major victory in three months solidified her resurgence and earned her widespread acclaim as a symbol of perseverance in tennis. Capriati maintained strong form through the grass and North American hard-court seasons, reaching the semifinals at both Wimbledon and the Open while accumulating consistent deep runs that propelled her ranking upward. On October 15, 2001, she ascended to the world No. 1 position for the first time in her career, holding it for a total of 17 weeks. Her season concluded with a 56-14 win-loss record, the strongest on tour, underscoring the emotional depth of her journey from teenage prodigy to mature champion.

Australian Open defense (2002)

Capriati entered the 2002 as the defending champion and the world No. 1, aiming to become the first woman since in 1991–1992 to win back-to-back titles at the tournament. She navigated a challenging draw, including a straight-sets quarterfinal victory over qualifier Meilen Tu and a three-set semifinal win against , to reach her second consecutive final. In the championship match against , who was seeking revenge after losing the 2001 final to Capriati, the American trailed 4–6, 0–4 and faced four match points in the second set. Displaying remarkable resilience amid sweltering heat exceeding 100 degrees (38°C), Capriati saved all four points to force a tiebreak, which she won 9–7, before dominating the third set 6–2 for a 4–6, 7–6(7), 6–2 victory. This triumph marked her second title, her third Grand Slam singles crown overall, and solidified her status as a dominant force in following her comeback. The win propelled Capriati to reclaim the world No. 1 ranking shortly after, a position she held intermittently throughout the year, including a return to the top spot in May following her performance at the Italian Open. Despite emerging shoulder and wrist issues that began to affect her consistency, she maintained a high level of play across the season. At the , seeded first, Capriati advanced to the semifinals for the second straight year, defeating Jelena Dokić in the quarterfinals before falling to 3–6, 7–6(2), 6–2 in a competitive battle on clay. Transitioning to grass, she reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, where she was upset by 6–3, 6–2, ending her bid for a career Grand Slam. Capriati's 2002 campaign concluded with a year-end ranking of , marking her second consecutive finish in the WTA top three and underscoring her sustained excellence amid physical challenges. Her achievements that year, highlighted by the Australian Open defense, contributed to her recognition as the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year.

Final seasons and retirement (2003–2004)

Capriati's 2003 season began with a stunning first-round exit at the Australian Open, where she lost to the 90th-ranked Marlene Weingärtner 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, marking the first time a defending women's champion had fallen in the opening round of the tournament. Despite the early setback, she showed resilience by reaching the final of the NASDAQ-100 Open in , where she was defeated by 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 in a rematch of the previous year's final. Later in the year, shoulder issues emerged, particularly during the , where pain limited her movement and contributed to a quarterfinal loss to . Capriati ended her title drought at the Pilot Pen Tennis in New Haven, securing her 13th WTA singles title when top seed retired injured at 6-3, 3-1 in the final; this victory came after 18 months without a tournament win. She carried momentum into the US Open, advancing to the semifinals with strong baseline play before falling to in a grueling three-set match, 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(4), that lasted over three hours and featured 30 games in the final two sets. The season concluded with a semifinal appearance at the Championships, where she lost to , capping a year of 25 wins and solidifying her return to the top tier despite injury interruptions. Capriati finished 2003 ranked No. 6 in the world. The 2004 season proved more challenging, as recurring injuries restricted Capriati's schedule and prevented her from claiming any titles. A back injury forced her withdrawal from the before it began, sidelining her for the early hard-court swing. She managed a quarterfinal run at the but struggled with consistency, losing to . A hamstring strain led to her pulling out of the Olympics in , for which she had been selected to represent the . At the US Open, Capriati produced one of her final highlights by upsetting in the quarterfinals, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, in a match marred by a controversial call on that awarded the victory despite initial confusion over the ball landing out. Her run ended in the semifinals against , 6-1, 6-7(2), 6-2. Persistent shoulder and back problems, culminating in surgery on her right shoulder in January 2005 for torn , ultimately ended her career. Capriati played her last professional match at the 2004 US Open and retired at age 28 without a formal announcement, having compiled a career record of 430 wins and 176 losses. She concluded the year ranked No. 10.

Playing style and equipment

Playing style

Jennifer Capriati employed an aggressive baseline style, relying on powerful groundstrokes to dictate play from the back of the court. Her was a key weapon, delivering flat, penetrating shots that generated significant pace, while her two-handed provided solidity and precision, often cited as her strongest in her early years. described Capriati as "the most powerful person of her age I have ever seen on a ," ranking her hitting power second only to among top players at the time. This power-oriented approach allowed her to overwhelm opponents with depth and aggression, though it occasionally led to unforced errors under pressure. Capriati's athleticism contributed to excellent movement and court coverage, enabling her to chase down wide balls and maintain balance during extended exchanges. Her serve featured a smooth, continuous motion that produced effective first deliveries, though it remained a relative vulnerability compared to her ground game. Following her hiatus from 1994 to 1995, Capriati refined her overall game through enhanced fitness, resulting in a more consistent serve and greater endurance in rallies. In her later career, she incorporated more net approaches and volleys to vary her tactics, complementing her baseline dominance. Capriati's mental toughness shone in prolonged rallies, where she thrived on adversity and refused to yield points easily, as evidenced by her comebacks in marathon matches like the 2001 French Open final. Her style drew comparisons to contemporaries , sharing a two-handed, power-driven baseline assault, and , matching the German's raw power but with less emphasis on all-court versatility and slicing variety.

Equipment and endorsements

Throughout her professional career, Jennifer Capriati primarily used Prince rackets after switching from Wilson models in her pre-professional days. As a junior, she played with a Wilson Pro Staff 85, but upon turning pro at age 13 in 1990, she adopted the Prince CTS Lightning and later models like the Triple Threat Rebel, which she wielded to win the 2002 . Capriati's apparel sponsorships evolved with her career stages. In the early 1990s, she signed a multi-million-dollar contract with Italian sportswear brand for clothing and footwear, valued at up to $3 million over five years with performance incentives, before even playing her first professional match. Following her hiatus and comeback in the late 1990s, she partnered with in 2000 for a three-year deal covering apparel and shoes, which included a retainer plus bonuses tied to tournament success and rankings. Her endorsement portfolio was extensive from a young age, reflecting her status as a teen prodigy. Major deals included Prince for rackets starting in 1990, worth $1 million initially, and Oil of Olay for , among others like Canon cameras. These sponsorships peaked in value during her early career, exceeding $5 million annually as a teenager through combined agreements in equipment, apparel, and consumer goods. However, following her personal challenges in 1994, she lost several contracts, including those with Prince and , before rebuilding partnerships like during her resurgence.

Personal life

Family and upbringing

Jennifer Capriati was born on March 29, 1976, in to parents Stefano and Denise Capriati. Her father, , an Italian immigrant, had a background as a professional soccer player whose career was cut short by a injury, after which he worked as a stuntman in Italian films. Her mother, Denise DeAmicis, of Italian descent and a native New Yorker, worked as a for Pan American Airways before focusing on family. The couple met in in 1972 and married there two years later, living abroad briefly before returning to the so their children could be born American citizens. The Capriati family, steeped in Italian heritage, relocated frequently to support Jennifer's emerging tennis talent, moving from New York to Spain in her early years and then to Lauderhill, Florida, around 1980 when she was about four years old. In Florida, Stefano began intensely coaching Jennifer from age four, emphasizing rigorous daily training that shaped her prodigious skills. Denise played a balancing role, encouraging her daughter to maintain some normalcy through homeschooling and education alongside the demands of tennis development. Jennifer, the eldest child, shares a close bond with her younger brother Steven, born in 1979, who also pursued and later assisted in managing aspects of her professional career during her rise to fame. The family collectively navigated the pressures of her early celebrity, with Stefano handling much of the logistical and coaching responsibilities while Denise provided emotional support, helping to shield the siblings from the intense public scrutiny. During the mid-1990s, Jennifer Capriati grappled with severe depression and burnout following years of intense pressure as a young professional athlete. She took an extended hiatus from starting in late 1993, during which she experienced profound emotional distress, including contemplating due to feelings of despair over her physical appearance, personal relationships, and loss of identity outside the sport. This period of burnout overlapped with her break from competition, and she sought professional help through sessions at a rehabilitation center in early 1994, focusing on emotional counseling rather than substance abuse at that initial stage. Capriati's legal troubles began in December 1993 when she was cited by Tampa police for after allegedly leaving a mall booth without paying for a $15 silver ring she had tried on; she described the incident as an unintentional oversight amid personal turmoil. The charge was resolved without formal , and she completed as part of the disposition. In May 1994, she faced further scrutiny when arrested in , on a charge of marijuana possession after police searched her hotel room following a tip about a runaway minor; a small amount of the substance was found among her belongings. To address the charge, Capriati voluntarily entered a drug rehabilitation program at in , where she completed a structured regimen of counseling and completed the requirements, leading to the charge being dropped. In the years following her 2004 retirement, Capriati has managed ongoing anxiety and depression through private therapeutic interventions and lifestyle adjustments, maintaining a reclusive existence away from media attention and public events. She faced legal issues related to substance possession in 2007–2008. In June 2010, she was hospitalized after an accidental overdose of prescribed medications but recovered fully. She has largely avoided the spotlight, residing quietly in and focusing on personal recovery, as evidenced by her limited public statements and rare appearances since leaving professional . This low-profile approach has allowed her to prioritize long-term stability without the pressures of her earlier fame. There are no major recent news reports about her personal life as of 2026.

Relationships and privacy

Capriati's romantic life has been marked by a few high-profile relationships during and shortly after her playing career, though she has consistently guarded details about her personal partnerships. In the early , she dated Belgian tennis player Xavier Malisse, with the couple often seen together at tournaments, including Capriati supporting him at events like the ATP Orlando in 2000. Their relationship, which began around 2000, ended acrimoniously in late 2000, contributing to a period of personal turbulence for both. Later, from 2003 to 2009, Capriati was in a long-term relationship with , a former adult film actor whose real name is Dale Rutter; the partnership drew media attention due to DaBone's profession but was described by those close to them as supportive during Capriati's post-retirement adjustment. In , she faced misdemeanor charges of battery and related to an altercation with ex-boyfriend Ivan Brannan, but the charges were dropped in 2014. Rumors of romantic links to other tennis players, such as , surfaced in media speculation during the early , but none were confirmed, and Capriati has never publicly addressed them. She has no confirmed marriages or children, maintaining a low profile on such matters throughout her adult life. Following her retirement in 2004, Capriati retreated into seclusion in , where she has resided since her teenage years, prioritizing privacy away from the public eye. Her family has supported this choice, respecting her desire for a quiet existence amid past scrutiny. She has given rare interviews and public appearances, with her last major one occurring in 2018 at the BNP Paribas in , where she reflected briefly on her career. In 2024, Capriati broke her relative silence on , using her X (formerly ) account to defend her personal story and her father's legacy—following his death from cancer in 2015—against narratives portraying her early career burnout as solely parental pressure, emphasizing his loving support instead.

Legacy and post-tennis life

Accolades and influence

Jennifer Capriati's professional tennis career was marked by significant accolades, including three Grand Slam singles titles: the Australian Open in 2001 and 2002, and the French Open in 2001. She also secured the Olympic gold medal in singles at the 1992 Barcelona Games, becoming the youngest Olympic tennis champion in history at 16 years and four months. Overall, Capriati won 14 WTA singles titles and achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 1, holding the top spot for 17 weeks. Capriati set several records as a prodigy, including becoming the youngest player to reach the semifinals of a Grand Slam at the 1990 (14 years, two months) and the youngest to enter the WTA top 10 at age 14 years, 214 days in 1990. Her early success, highlighted by reaching a WTA final at just 13 years old in her professional debut, established her as a trailblazing teen talent. These achievements influenced the landscape for subsequent child prodigies, such as and , serving as a cautionary example of rapid rise and burnout that prompted delays in professional debuts until age 14 to prioritize education and well-being. In 2012, Capriati was inducted into the , recognizing her impact as both a prodigy and a symbol of resilience following her comeback from personal challenges. Her story contributed to broader discussions on in sports, spotlighting the pressures on young athletes and advocating for better support systems to prevent burnout and emotional strain in professional .

Post-retirement activities

Following her retirement from professional in 2004, Jennifer Capriati has maintained a very private life with limited public appearances or media coverage, residing in and largely steering clear of the public eye. As of 2026, there are no major recent news reports about her personal life, and nothing significant has been reported in recent years. In , she made one of her few post-retirement public appearances as a WTA Legend Ambassador at the WTA Finals in , joining other retired stars like and to support the event. Since that occasion, Capriati has continued to avoid interviews and media engagements, emphasizing her preference for a low-profile away from the spotlight. Capriati stays connected to the sport through her active presence on X (formerly ), where she shares opinions on ongoing tennis developments and interacts with fans. For instance, in 2024, she posted about Novak Djokovic's achievements and critiqued media narratives around player burnout, drawing from her own experiences to encourage kinder discourse in the tennis community. As of 2025, she continued this engagement, commenting on Carlos Alcaraz's US Open victory. She has expressed no interest in a full professional comeback, focusing instead on personal well-being. Through occasional reflections on her career challenges, including depression and burnout, Capriati has contributed to broader conversations on , helping to reduce stigma for current athletes without formal roles.

Career statistics

Grand Slam singles timeline

Jennifer Capriati's Grand Slam singles career spanned from 1990 to 2004, during which she secured three titles: the 2001 , 2001 , and 2002 , all without losing a final. Her overall Grand Slam record stood at 140 wins and 40 losses, with specific tallies of 28-6 at the , 39-10 at the , 38-11 at Wimbledon, and 35-13 at the US Open. These performances occurred amid fluctuating year-end , peaking at No. 2 in 2001 after her title run. The table below outlines her round reached in each Grand Slam singles event year by year, using standard abbreviations: 1R (first round), 2R (second round), 3R (third round), 4R (fourth round), QF (quarterfinals), SF (semifinals), F (final), W (winner), and DNP (did not play). Year-end rankings provide additional context on her standing at the close of each season.
YearAustralian OpenFrench OpenWimbledonUS OpenYear-End Ranking
1990DNPSF4R4R8
1991DNP4RSFSF6
1992QFQFQF3R7
1993QFQFQF1R9
1994DNPDNPDNPDNPN/A
1995DNPDNPDNPDNPN/A
1996DNP1RDNP1R36
19971RDNPDNP1R66
1998DNPDNP2R1R101
19992R4R2R4R23
2000SF1R4R4R14
2001WWSFSF2
2002WSFQFQF3
20031R4RQFSF6
2004DNPSFQFSF10

Grand Slam finals

Capriati reached three Grand Slam finals during her career, winning all of them to secure three major titles. In the 2001 final, the 12th-seeded Capriati defeated world No. 1 6–4, 6–3 to claim her first Grand Slam championship, marking a remarkable comeback after years away from the sport. The straight-sets victory showcased Capriati's aggressive baseline play and mental resilience, as she committed only 20 unforced errors compared to Hingis's 32. Capriati's second major title came at the 2001 , where she overcame in a tense three-set match, 1–6, 6–4, 12–10. The final, lasting over two hours, featured 22 games in the deciding set and highlighted Capriati's endurance on clay, as she saved multiple match points before sealing the win with a winner. This triumph completed her non-calendar year Grand Slam, following her success earlier that year. Defending her title in 2002, Capriati faced Hingis again in the final and rallied from a set and a 0–4 deficit in the second to win 4–6, 7–6(7), 6–2. The match, played under extreme heat, saw Capriati fend off four match points in the second set tiebreak, demonstrating her fighting spirit and securing back-to-back crowns. This victory elevated her to world No. 1 shortly thereafter.
TournamentYearOpponentResultScore
2001Won6–4, 6–3
2001Won1–6, 6–4, 12–10
2002Won4–6, 7–6(7), 6–2

Olympic achievements

Jennifer Capriati's Olympic career was marked by a single appearance at the in , , where she competed in the women's singles event. At just 16 years old, she navigated the draw with determination, defeating notable opponents including No. 2 seed in the semifinals before facing world No. 1 and defending champion in the gold medal match. In a dramatic comeback, Capriati lost the first set 3-6 but rallied to win the next two sets 6-3 and 6-4, securing the gold medal on August 7, 1992. This victory not only ended Graf's bid for a second consecutive Olympic title but also highlighted Capriati's resilience, as she overcame her three prior losses to the German player. Capriati's triumph made her the youngest women's singles gold medalist in Olympic history, a record that underscores her prodigious talent amid the pressures of early professional success. The win came during a pivotal year in her career, boosting her confidence following a semifinal finish at the earlier that season. This gold represented Capriati's sole Olympic participation; she did not compete in the 1996 or 2000 Games.

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  36. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jennifer-Capriati
  37. https://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/21/sports/tennis-brother-plays-a-part-in-capriati-s-success.html
  38. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-09-26-sp-43214-story.html
  39. https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/23/sports/tennis-capriati-was-in-clinic-for-counseling-earlier.html
  40. https://www.nytimes.com/1993/12/11/sports/tennis-shoplifting-an-accident-capriati-says-of-charge.html
  41. https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/17/sports/tennis-capriati-is-arrested-in-drug-charge.html
  42. https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/20/sports/tennis-capriati-voluntarily-in-rehabilitation.html
  43. https://www.chicagotribune.com/1994/05/24/capriati-enters-drug-rehab/
  44. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/battery-stalking-charges-against-jennifer-capriati-dropped-n8976
  45. https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1439296/capriati-joins-king-navratilova-evert-among-wta-finals-legend-ambassadors
  46. https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/jennifer-capriati-s-father-stefano-dies-of-cancer
  47. https://twitter.com/JenCapriati/status/1765551784120996066
  48. https://www.wtatennis.com/players/30200/jennifer-capriati/record
  49. https://www.tennis365.com/facts-stats/youngest-players-reach-top-10-of-wta-rankings
  50. https://www.benrothenberg.com/p/serena-serenas-version-part-1
  51. https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-i-just-wanted-kill-myself-when-jennifer-capriati-opened-mental-health-struggles-teenager
  52. https://twitter.com/JenCapriati/status/1797088475939799481
  53. https://twitter.com/JenCapriati/status/1767231707122418090
  54. https://www.essentiallysports.com/wta-tennis-news-i-just-wanted-to-kill-myself-when-american-star-jennifer-capriati-made-a-debilitating-statement-after-experience-tennis-burnout/
  55. https://www.wtatennis.com/players/30200/jennifer-capriati/stats
  56. https://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/27/sports/game-set-comeback-capriati-wins-a-major.html
  57. https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/11/sports/IHT-capriati-overcomes-clijsters-in-a-long-match-marred-by-mistakes.html
  58. https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1673443/capriati-confirms-comeback-with-brave-battle-in-record-setting-final
  59. https://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/25/sports/tennis/capriati-rallies-to-win-australian-open.html
  60. https://www.tennismajors.com/olympic-games/august-7-1992-the-day-16-year-old-jennifer-capriati-clinched-the-olympic-gold-in-barcelona-444894.html
  61. https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/on-this-day-jennifer-capriati-gold-medal-1992-olympics-barcelona-steffi-graf
  62. https://www.tennis365.com/facts-stats/youngest-women-win-olympic-singles-gold-steffi-graf-venus-williams
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