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The Serena question
LONDON -- Jennifer Capriati has reached amazing heights this year and talked of everything from her troubled past to her glorious Grand Slam-contending present. But the questioning took a curious twist Tuesday in Capriati's press conference here at Wimbledon, following a three-set victory over Serena Williams. Here's an example: Question: Did you know why she took the bathroom break? She said she was nauseated. Capriati: I don't know. Maybe she had a bad case of like diarrhea or something. I don't know. Question: There was no indication on court? Capriati: Well, I just asked the umpire. She said that she had to use the bathroom, it was an emergency. I didn't want to know the details. The bathroom break came as Capriati opened up a 4-love lead in the final set. She'd earlier recovered from a set and 5-4 down to force a decider. Serena served for the match and couldn't finish off the Australian Open and French Open champion, who's made of sterner stuff these days.
To say the match was littered with what appeared tantamount to gamesmanship is putting it mildly. Serena claimed she was ill and had been for four days. She clutched her stomach time and again, taking time aplenty to stroll around in between points. Williams called out the trainer, then Capriati decided she might as well employ her services as well for a hip problem. She would leave the court for treatment. When Serena popped off for her "emergency" in the final set, Capriati looked decidedly disgruntled and called out the trainer to keep her limber. Back the to the press room: Question: How aware were you of Serena's physical problems? She was saying she was having nausea problems, that kind of thing. How much did that affect what you were trying to do out there? Capriati: I had no idea until she took a bathroom break. Basically, I don't know, every time I play her, I'm pretty much used to something going on there. She usually takes the time, you know, before I serve. I mean, she's just kind of like a slow player in between.
And there's more: Question: You looked upset when she took the bathroom break. Capriati: Well, I thought it was a bit strange. But I mean, you're allowed to do that. What could I do? She, whatever, had to go. Oh, the place is abuzz by now with talk of toilet trips and off-putting antics. Even Lindsay Davenport was asked to weigh in after her splendid quarterfinal win over Kim Clijsters. Question: What did you think of today's dramatics? Davenport: That's tennis, I guess. Seems to happen. I don't know, seems like Serena likes to do that against Jennifer. I saw them play in Miami. She was limping around. I saw her play at the French. Something was wrong there. And again today. I don't know if it's the losing or she has a mental thing with Jennifer. I'm not sure. You know, a lot of times when she's down, something happens with the trainer going on the court. It happened to me at the U.S. Open when was beating her. Now we're getting somewhere. A bit of sore losing going on perhaps. Question: Serena doesn't want to take a loss, is that really what it comes down to, doesn't want to straight out take it? Davenport: I don't know, but looks like that. Couldn't tell you for sure. Whatever one's take on the Centre Court proceedings during a most bizarre and not always pretty match, perhaps I should leave the last word with the always-honest Lindsay. Question: If you were in Jennifer's place? Davenport: I think Jennifer handles it pretty well. I saw her roll her eyes at one point when she left the court. It's tough. How great is it to be in Jennifer's shoes? She always beats her. Phil Jones is co-host of World Sport, the international sports show that airs live on CNN/Sports Illustrated and CNN International.
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