Jennifer Capriati inducted into Hall of Fame

Congratulations to Jennifer Capriati who was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island earlier today.

Now 36, Capriati’s career was cut short about seven years ago by injuries she was never able to fully recover from.

She also missed three years in the middle of her career after dropping off of the tour due to burnout and teenage rebellion.

That’s why it is remarkable when you look at what she was able to accomplish. She made it to the final of her first pro tournament at the age of 13, made the semifinals of the French Open when she was 14 and beat Martina Navratilova at Wimbledon when she was just 15 and Martina was the defending champion.

Then at 16, she won the Olympic Gold Medal in 1992 (beating Steffi Graf in the final).

After her lost years, she returned to the tour in 1996 and took more than three years to re-establish herself as a top player. Then in 2001, she beat Monica Seles, Lindsay Davenport and Martina Hingis in successive rounds to win the Australian Open. She won the French Open that same year and became the number one ranked player in the world.

Capriati beat Hingis again, coming back from 4-6, 0-4 down to win the Australian Open in 2002. But she suffered heartbreaking losses in the semifinals of the US Open in 2003 and 2004 and was never able to win that grand slam title or at Wimbledon.

”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, breaking into tears during her acceptance speech. ”This is one milestone I thought I’d never achieve.”

She now feels as though her tennis career is fulfilled.

”It was tough having to leave the game,” she said, cracking a bit with emotion. ”It’s like mourning a loved one that’s gone and a relationship’s that gone, a part of yourself. It wasn’t easy, but something that’s gone and what you loved to do.

”It took a while to accept that and let go. This is so great for me because it’s putting a lot of closure to my career and I’m able to move forward, give thanks, take thanks, give the honor and take the honor, and just be acknowledged here. It means everything to me.”

Seles, who edged Capriati in an epic 1991 US Open semifinals considered to be one of the greatest matches of all time, was on hand to induct her former rival into the Hall of Fame. Also inducted Saturday was three-time French Open champion and former world number one Gustavo Kuerten.