It’s great to hear about a relationship between a tennis-playing kid and their parents that is not weird on some dimension or other. That line about asking her father to step back, how he did, and how it really was good for both of them was the most remarkable. How many of us can point to as graceful a distancing as that? Maybe her parents should be teaching seminars on the tour as there seems to be plenty of learning needed.
This is great, and I second wanting to know more about Capriati and the rule changes -- I'm about the same age as JC and knowing that someone in my theoretical peer group was competing as a pro was part of my initial interest in the sport as a teenager, but then I remember the 'cautionary tale' parts as well.
Beautiful piece, Ben. Every time I hear Coco speak, I'm struck by how well she was raised. Her parents have instilled in her the belief in her own excellence, but somehow also given her the perspective to recognize she is not the center of the universe. What a gift! Emotional intelligence!
Yes PLEASE to anything on Capriati. I was obsessed as a fellow teen back then. That was a wild ride (and you know my scrapbooks have all the articles back then!!)
I was so moved by this piece that I was moved to leave a comment! I second the praise and appreciation. Great background that truly compliments the quality of Coco’s win today. She’s a champion.
P.S. really intrigued by the chart of junior champs. Many familiar names. Thank you, Ben, for your stellar writing.
Were the age eligibility rules in the 90s waived for Jennifer Capriati, created after some young female tennis players in the 80s (cautionary tale of Andrea Jaeger, et al.) left careers prematurely? Present WTA rules seem like reasonable compromise between safeguarding interests of children and allowing prodigies access to tour.
yes, please, on the unpublished capriati thoughts.
It’s great to hear about a relationship between a tennis-playing kid and their parents that is not weird on some dimension or other. That line about asking her father to step back, how he did, and how it really was good for both of them was the most remarkable. How many of us can point to as graceful a distancing as that? Maybe her parents should be teaching seminars on the tour as there seems to be plenty of learning needed.
Loved it! And yes, please let us read the unpublished stuff.
This is great, and I second wanting to know more about Capriati and the rule changes -- I'm about the same age as JC and knowing that someone in my theoretical peer group was competing as a pro was part of my initial interest in the sport as a teenager, but then I remember the 'cautionary tale' parts as well.
Beautiful piece, Ben. Every time I hear Coco speak, I'm struck by how well she was raised. Her parents have instilled in her the belief in her own excellence, but somehow also given her the perspective to recognize she is not the center of the universe. What a gift! Emotional intelligence!
Yes PLEASE to anything on Capriati. I was obsessed as a fellow teen back then. That was a wild ride (and you know my scrapbooks have all the articles back then!!)
I was so moved by this piece that I was moved to leave a comment! I second the praise and appreciation. Great background that truly compliments the quality of Coco’s win today. She’s a champion.
P.S. really intrigued by the chart of junior champs. Many familiar names. Thank you, Ben, for your stellar writing.
Thanks Shari!
Loved the detail on the anthem. I noticed while watching live that she did seem to get a bit emotional there and now I have the context.
Great piece!
Fabulous background once again Ben!
Great stuff, Ben!
Thanks, Bob!
Were the age eligibility rules in the 90s waived for Jennifer Capriati, created after some young female tennis players in the 80s (cautionary tale of Andrea Jaeger, et al.) left careers prematurely? Present WTA rules seem like reasonable compromise between safeguarding interests of children and allowing prodigies access to tour.
Most of the rules, to my knowledge, all came before Capriati, reactive to her story rather than proactive.