Just to beat a dead horse, anyone else hear that Bud Collins and Chris Evert were to be banned from interviewing the great JC if she won the French for taking a pro-BJK stance on Fed Cup? My teammate just told me this morning. I haven't actually read the SI article.

I read the article (Wertheim wrote it.) It said that both Collins and Evert were banned because they believed Capriati was in the wrong for her profane anti-Billy Jean King tirade (and I believe it was any interview.)

I think the media's love affair with Jen-Jen is over. They've been especially merciless since her reamrks at the French Open about the Williams sisters. I have yet to see one article written in defense of her.

[ June 15, 2002: Message edited by: Lev Stone ]

The Capriati camp must be a bit on edge if they ban the Great Christine Marie. Chris and her family played a huge role in Jennifer's career, and were close confidantes of the Capriati clan. I read the article too, and was surprised to see that this occurred. I think there is just a general air of uptightness these days with Jen. It is impossible to know, but one would wonder if she does not feel some resentment for all the years she cost herself on the tour. Now that she has a taste of being the best, she may wish she could (to quote the great Cher) "turn back time".

I don't think this is the first time that the Capriati camp has shut out Chrissie. There was a period after the early glory days but before the downfall that things seemed awfully frosty between the Capriatis and America's Grande Dame of Tennis. They seemed to make amends, but in light of the egos and obnoxiousness of the Jen & Family, it's not surprising that they had another falling out.

During JenCap's dark days, Chris made thinly veiled remarks about how grateful she was that her parents made sure that her tennis career was her thing. Sure, they were there for support, but Jimmy Evert continued to teach tennis at the same job and her parents maintained the same lifestyle, regardless of what success Chris enjoyed. This, as opposed to Stefano Capriati, who quit working when Jen was 12 years old. I cringed when I heard Denise Capriati refer to her daughter's tennis millions "not as Jennifer's money, but the family's money."

you know what? Maybe the Williams sisters will become better tennis ambassadors for america than Jen-Jen.

Is anyone surprised that Jen-Jen is turning out to be a brat? Is anyone surprised that Stefano is still an ass****? I mean.. Jen was a druggie for God's sake. getting older doesn't equal maturity and wisdom. Think of all the dates you guys have been on recently.

to make refernece to the whole fed-cup brouhaha, the coach of the irish national soccer team, Mick Mccarthy, threw out the captain and star of the team before the start of the world cup. and ireland, led by ROBBIE Keane, played better than anuone expected. team chemistry.

Jennifer's not the brighest thing that ever lived. Never has been, and her often-flawed logic reflects that. To imply that the Williams sisters wouldn't be 1-2 right now if Hingis and Davenport weren't injured is like, well, you know, dumb.

Fact is, the Williams sisters have been mopping the court with all of their rivals, Lindsay, Martina and Capriati included. Now Capriati's apparently upset with Bud and Chris over their remarks about FedCupGate. It's like a bad show that needs to be cancelled. If Jennifer refused an interview with every media figure who sided with BJK, there'd be noone left to talk to.

I loved that Jennifer overcame her demons to realize her great potential. Capriati proved she can be a great champion. But she's also proving to be one helluva of sore loser, too.

Or to put things into perspective, re: the Williams vs. Davenport, Hingis, and Capriati.

The last time Hingis beat either Venus or Serena was at the Australian Open in 2001 (where she beat both sisters.) Since then she's gone 0-5 against them. She's lost her last 3 matches against Serena and is trailing 6:7 in their series. Against Venus, she's leading 10:9, but has lost 6 of their last 8 matches.

The last time Daveport beat Serena was at the US Open in 2000. Serena leads that series 7:2. The last time she beat Venus was in a minor tournament in October 2000. Venus has won 8 of their last ten meetings. Since October 2000, Davenport has gone 0-4 against the sisters.

Capriati last beat Serena at Wimbledon last year. Since then Serena has beaten her five times in a row, to lead the series 6:4. Capriati has never beaten Venus (0:4). Since Wimbledon 2001, Capriati has gone 0:7 against the sisters.

Yeah, the presence of Hingis and Davenport would really alter the rankings.

And another important fact: In the last 11 Major tournaments, 6 were won by either Venus or Serena.

[ June 18, 2002: Message edited by: Lev Stone ]

Jen-Jen is not all to blame, and neither are her parents! Chrissie pushed for the rule to let her play tournaments after her (Chrissie's) retirement! Even after the WTA made "age requirement rules" lets not forget King's original WTT prevented Chrissie from playing at the French Open for 3yrs! Back when Chrissie DOMINATED on clay! Maybe Chris should rethink her negative comments on Jen, and think about Billie Jean's "RULES" Changing history! BTW Don't be counting Hingis out, she's still got the best all around game!

Lev, if Davenport had picked up 1577 points this year, she would be #2. Six other players have picked up more so far, two of them (Hingis and Capriati) without beating either Venus or Serena. And don't you think it's quite possible that Lindsay would have won the Australian Open? If she got 1875 points, she'd be #1--still fewer than Hingis has acquired this year. That doesn't mean that Serena and Venus aren't the best players right now, but I do think Jen is correct about the computer ranking.

If... and if Elena Dementieva won all four Major titles, she's be #1.

And no, I don't think Lindsay was quite capable of winning the Australian Open this year. And since Davenport completely skips the clay season, even if she could make up points, she wouldn't. And just because she was entered in events last year doesn't mean she would get as far this year.

You could just as easily say if Serena and Venus played more last year they would already be 1 and 2.

If, if, if......If I had wheels I'd be a pushcart. Silly statement, no?

BTW, Lindsay doesn't skip the clay court season. She generally doesn't do too well, but she does make the attempt, unless she's injured.