WORLD TOP SPORTS STARS: Jennifer Capriati

(born March 29, 1976, in New York City) is a former World No. 1 professional tennis player. She made her professional debut in 1990 at age 14 when she reached the final of the hard court event in Boca Raton, ultimately losing to Gabriela Sabatini. She reached the semifinals of the French Open in her debut and later became the youngest ever player to crack the top 10 at age 14 years, 235 days in October of that year. Between 1990 and 1993, Capriati won six singles titles, including a Gold Medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, defeating Steffi Graf in the final. Following a first round loss at the 1993 US Open, a burned out Capriati took a 14 month break from 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 Grand Slam singles match in five years at Wimbledon. In the next two years Capriati slowly returned to form, winning her first title in six years at Strasbourg in 1999 and regaining a top 20 ranking. At the 2001 Australian Open, a re-committed Capriati became the lowest seed to ever win the championship when she defeated World No. 1 Martina Hingis in straight sets for her first Grand Slam title. She also won the French Open that year, claiming the number one ranking in October. After successfully defending her Australian Open crown in 2002, Capriati became a top ten mainstay until injuries derailed her career in 2004.

Capriati won 14 singles titles throughout her career, along with one doubles title.

In 2005, Tennis magazine ranked Capriati 36th in its list of the 40 greatest players in the magazine's 40 years.

Jennifer Capriati