Jennifer Marie Capriati is an American former professional tennis player. She achieved remarkable success as a teenage prodigy and later became a world No. 1 player.
Capriati won three singles championships in Grand Slam tournaments and was the gold medalist at the 1992 Summer Olympics. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2012.
You can follow Jennifer Capriati’s biography, personal details, relationship status, career overview, net worth, earnings, endorsements, stats, achievements, and more here.
Jennifer Capriati’s Biography
Detail | Information |
Full name | Jennifer Maria Capriati |
Nickname | Jenny |
Birth date | March 29, 1976 |
Birthplace | New York City, New York, United States |
Nationality | American |
Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
Turned pro | March 5, 1990 |
Retired | 2004 |
Career prize money | $10,206,639 |
Highest ranking | No. 1 (October 15, 2001) |
Grand Slam Singles titles | 3 (Australian Open 2001, 2002; French Open 2001) |
Olympic medals | Gold (1992 Barcelona, Singles) |
Hall of Fame induction | 2012 |
Current residence | Wesley Chapel, Florida, U.S. |
Jennifer Capriati was born on March 29, 1976, in New York City to Stefano and Denise Capriati. Her father, Stefano, was a former professional football player and stuntman who later became her coach. The family lived in Spain until Jennifer was four years old.
Capriati grew up with one sibling, her brother Steven, who also played tennis professionally. From a young age, Jennifer showed exceptional talent in tennis, winning her first Junior Orange Bowl title at the age of 12.
Career
Jennifer Capriati burst onto the professional scene in 1990 at just 13 years old, setting numerous “youngest-ever” records, including becoming the youngest player to reach the semifinals of a Grand Slam event at the 1990 French Open.
Capriati quickly established herself as a top player, winning her first professional title in 1990 and claiming the gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
After taking time away from the sport, Capriati made a remarkable comeback in the late 1990s and early 2000s. In 2001, she won her first two Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open and French Open and achieved the world No. 1 ranking.
She continued her success in 2002, defending her Australian Open title. Throughout her career, Capriati won 14 WTA singles titles, including three Grand Slams.
Despite facing injuries later in her career, Capriati’s impact on tennis was significant, and she was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2012.
Jennifer Capriati’s Net Worth Details
Jennifer Capriati’s net worth is estimated to be $10 million as of 2025. Her earnings primarily came from her prize money and endorsements.
Career Earnings
Jennifer Capriati’s career earnings totaled over $10 million in prize money from tennis tournaments, with her total earnings estimated to be well over $25 million when including endorsements and adjusting for inflation.
Endorsements
In the 1990s, Jennifer Capriati signed major endorsement deals, including:
- A reported $3 million deal with Diadora
- A $1 million contract with Prince tennis rackets
As a teenage prodigy, she had earned over $6 million in endorsements before even turning professional.
Career Stats
Statistic | Record |
Singles Titles | 14 |
Doubles Titles | 1 |
Highest Ranking | No. 1 (October 15, 2001) |
Grand Slam Singles Titles | 3 |
Olympic Medals | 1 Gold (1992) |
Career Win-Loss Record | 430-176 (70.96%) |
Achievements
- Won 3 Grand Slam singles titles (Australian Open 2001, 2002; French Open 2001)
- Olympic Gold Medal in singles (1992)
- Reached World No. 1 ranking in 2001
- 14 WTA singles titles
- Youngest ever semifinalist at French Open (1990)
- Youngest player to finish in WTA top 10 (1990)
- Inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame (2012)
FAQs
1. Who is Jennifer Capriati?
Jennifer Capriati is a retired American tennis player, former World No. 1, and a three-time Grand Slam singles champion. She also won a gold medal in singles at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
2. What are Jennifer Capriati’s major career achievements?
Capriati won three Grand Slam titles (Australian Open in 2001 and 2002, French Open in 2001) and an Olympic gold medal in 1992. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2012.
3. At what age did Jennifer Capriati turn professional?
Capriati turned professional at the age of 13 years and 11 months in March 1990, becoming one of the youngest players to do so.
4. What records did Jennifer Capriati set as a young player?
She became the youngest player to reach the semifinals of the French Open and the youngest to enter the WTA Top 10 rankings at age 14 years, 235 days.
5. What challenges did Jennifer Capriati face during her career?
Capriati struggled with personal issues, including arrests for shoplifting and marijuana possession in her teens. She took a break from tennis between 1993 and 1996 but later made a successful comeback.
6. How did Jennifer Capriati make her comeback in tennis?
After returning in the late 1990s, Capriati won her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in 2001, followed by another at the French Open that year. She defended her Australian Open title in 2002.
7. Why did Jennifer Capriati retire from tennis?
Capriati retired in 2004 due to recurring injuries and declining performance. Her career spanned from 1990 to 2004.
8. What is Jennifer Capriati’s legacy in tennis?
Capriati is remembered as one of the greatest comeback stories in tennis history, achieving success despite personal struggles. Her resilience and achievements have inspired many athletes.
9. What controversies surrounded Jennifer Capriati after retirement?
Post-retirement, Capriati faced legal issues, including charges for stalking and battery, which were later dropped. She also criticized media coverage of her personal life.
10. Where is Jennifer Capriati now?
Capriati has largely stayed out of the public eye since retiring but occasionally speaks out on social media about issues related to her career and personal life.