[Mark43]

I am still just broken up about Jennifer. Somebody wisely pointed out that these athletes are making a fortune and we should not pity them the least - it is only a game. Afterall, nobody is bemoaning the fact that I am stuck freelancing and can't score that elusive, cushy corporate job I so desire. Why do I feel so for Jennifer? It is just a shame that she cannot keep a lead and time is so fleeting in this game.

I have been following tennis for nearly 30 years, since I was barely 9 years old. It is rare that someone comes along that I just instantly love. Evonne Goolagong, Tracy Austin, Hana Mandlikova, Gabriela Sabatini and Jennifer Capriati are the only players that come to mind. Save for Tracy, they all turned out to be so incredibly fragile mentally. Tracy took the physically fragile route. I love that drama of ... 'can they pull this victory out while they are shaking like a leaf, more frightened of winning than losing?'

But last night I just could not handle it. I know jennifer covets the US Open title and she deserved to pull that win out. She fought like a cornered cat when she was down, and lost like a confused lamb when she was in the lead. It was so frustrating. Justine played a magnificent match, but Jennifer choked and it was painful. The women's final just added to the pain, watching Kim play so horribly. I am sure the dynamic would have been much different had jennifer made the final (see French '01) and perhaps Kim would have won, but I know Jennifer would have left her heart out on the court tonight, no matter what. I didn't get that feeling from kim and I kept thinking I wish it was Jennifer taking advantage of this poor play.

I don't think there will ever be another chance for her like this again. Don't get me wrong...I know Jennifer can compete, and win, against both Serena and Venus - I am just not sure if Jennifer really knows that anymore, especially when she is in the lead.

 

[treufreund]

jenny and justine are both CHAMPIONS. when two champions meet it is gonna be very very close. it was just that little edge that Justine had because she was out to prove something. SO many players, commentators, etc had doubted her and discounted her. She did it to be the best, for her mother, to prove the others wrong. Jennifer came close but even a GREAT CHAMPION like her was always gonna have it tough when her opponent is also a GREAT CHAMPION with all of that motivating her.

anyways try to cheer up. jenn can keep improving. she is a phenomenal athlete and Melbourne is her favorite tourney.

 

[bello]

i feel your pain and i need to hug u!!!!!! lol
i cant believe i was brought to tears by that match, so close, why couldnt she have won, i cant stop thinking about it.. but i hope and believe it will not be her last chance, she was at her top level and if she could have believed in herself and continued the match was hers, and who knows, maybe the title too..

 

[BasicTennis]

i feel your pain and i need to hug u!!!!!! lol
i cant believe i was brought to tears by that match, so close, why couldnt she have won, i cant stop thinking about it.. but i hope and believe it will not be her last chance, she was at her top level and if she could have believed in herself and continued the match was hers, and who knows, maybe the title too..

that's the hard part that Jen's already playing at the top level in that match and yet it is still enough to beat an injured opponent.

 

[bello]

i think it would have been if she only just continued and finished off in the same fashion

 

[BasicTennis]

i think it would have been if she only just continued and finished off in the same fashion

unfortunately, although she's physically the stronger player in the deciding match, she has already used up her 98% mental capacity in the first two sets.

 

[BCP]

BCP consoles Mark

You certainly know how to pick em! J/k. Hopefully once the disappointment fades, Jennifer will take heart from the fact that she is gaining on the lead pack of players.

I wish I could have seen the match. I heard that it was extraordinary....

 

[RAA]

I was at the match and really almost felt physically sick that jen lost that match. she was so close so many times and the crowd was 100% behind her. and at times I thought she was playing the best tennis that I had seen her play since OZ '01..

but she got tentative on big points and she also got tired - not sure whether it was mental or physical but by the 3 set she looked like she was kind of spent...

it was a crazy match. I really really really thought that Jen would win it. andI really thought Jen BELIEVED she could win it.. until late in the 3rd.. and then I think she knew she hadmissed her chances.

I'm really sorry to all the jen fans out there. it was a great great match. but I really felt her pain...

 

[Mase]

I couldnt get to sleep after that match, it took me a long time.
Jenny held it down though, although she lost she showed us how much game, even at 27, she still has and we all know she will be back and even mentally stronger..I tend to think a match like that will only HELP not hurt her. And I mean just the fact that she was sooooooo close in the third shows you how much stronger she has become, earlier in the season she may have well been 6-1'ed in the third.. She's back in the top 5 which is awesome, and with Lindsay taking time off, I woulnt be surpirsed to see her at 4 soon... She will perservere and we her fans will too!

 

[DA FOREHAND]

She's been on the winning end of matches like this, (02 A.O., 01 French) so hopefully that helps her. I know she cried like a baby, and probably hasn't had much sleep.

I was rooting for her %100. Keep on fighting Jenn. We love you.