Jennifer Capriati Biography & Pictures

Jennifer Capriati was born on March 29, 1976, in New York state, and was groomed to be a tennis champ from day one. While she was still a toddler, her Italian dad Stefano, a former boxer turned tennis coach, and mum Denise, a former Pan-Am stewardess, became members of a Long Island tennis club. Here, Stefano, a self-taught player and coach, encouraged his daughter to roam the tennis courts and to get a feel for the sport.
Later, when Jennifer's burgeoning talent became obvious, the family moved to Florida, where the ten-year-old began an intense training programme with Jimmy Evert, the father of tennis champ Chris.
A relaxation of tour regulations enabled Jennifer to turn pro a year early at the age of 13. She stepped onto the court for the first time as a professional at the Virginia Slims tournament in March 1990, swinging a water bottle she'd brought her own as no-one had mentioned free water was provided and smiled at the Florida hometown crowd. Swiftly crushing her opponent, she got all the way through to the finals before falling to Gabriela Sabatini. America had found its next Chris Evert.

Jennifer Capriati
Jennifer Capriati
Jennifer Capriati
Jennifer Capriati
Jennifer Capriati