Capriati Receives Key to Go with Olympic Gold Medal

SAN DIEGO — Should action at the Mazda Tennis Classic become monotonous, Jennifer Capriati can always sneak a peak at City Hall.

At a brief ceremony Monday at Lindbergh Field, City Manager Jack McGrory presented Capriati, 16, a key to the city. Dressed in a Led Zeppelin tie-dye T-shirt and ripped jean shorts, Capriati was stunned to discover the big gold key actually fits.

“You’re kidding,” said Capriati, who has been resting and training in Florida since her gold-medal performance in Barcelona 16 days ago.

Not that Capriati’s planning to tire of tennis soon. Capriati, the second seed, said she is still on an emotional high from her Olympic experience and ready for this week and next week’s U.S. Open.

‘I never really came down, I’m still pretty much hyped up about everything that has happened recently,” said Capriati, whose first match is Wednesday night. “The momentum is still going for me. I’m not having a letdown. I’m still eager from that and eager to go play yet.”

If she sustains her excitement, the much-anticipated showdown between top-seeded Gabriela Sabatini and Capriati should come to pass.

“I’m very confident about my game,” she said. “I’m more confident about playing the top players and the major tournaments.”

She doesn’t expect Sabatini, who will play her first tournament match since Wimbledon tonight at 7 against Kimberly Po of Rolling Hills.

“She’s a great player,” she said. “I’m sure she’s not going to be too rusty.”