‘Debilitating and Damaging’ – A Devastated Chris Evert Once Revealed How Jennifer Capriati’s Depression Was Due to Over-Hyped Fans and Media

Chris Evert and Jennifer Capriati shared a great bond during the latter’s tennis career. The now 46-year-old former tennis player considered Evert her idol from the beginning of her career. But Capriati’s career went downhill when she faced several issues outside the tennis court. 

After witnessing her sharp drop in form, her idol expressed her feeling and attempted to identify what went wrong for the former world number one.

Chris Evert opens up about the reasons behind Capriati’s off-court difficulties

Sadly, the American tennis star’s situation deteriorated after she was arrested for drug possession in 1994. The 18-time Grand Slam champion, Chris Evert, who was‌ close to Capriati, opened up in an interview about her condition.

She said, “I feel so sad but I get it and her and what she is going through. The tennis world, her agents, the press, and players have let her down — me included. To have had so much success, highs, adrenaline, focus, attention, adulation on one at such a young age, and then to have it whisked away from under your feet in a nanosecond is debilitating and damaging.”

She talked about the extra pressure that the fans and media had put on her. The pressure of living up to the expectations of a nation depressed the rising star at the time, leading her to an unsavory path. However, she also blamed herself for not understanding Capriati and helping her in such difficult times.

READ MORE – ‘Even if I’m Really P****d off…’- Chris Evert Once Disclosed Her True Nature While Dwelling Upon Her Past Relationships

Was Capriati accurately depicted in the movie ‘King Richard’?

The three-time Grand Slam champion was one of many tennis greats who were depicted in Serena Williams’ father’s biopic. The movie focused on the former world number one’s turmoil in her own tennis career, showing it as an example of what happens when things go wrong in professional tennis.

WATCH THIS STORY – Chris Evert looks back at her astounding rivalry with Martina Navratilova and the negative impact of her 13-match losing streak

When she made her debut on the WTA tour debut at the age of 13, back in 1990, Capriati was a young, talented player who touted to take the reins from the retired Chris Evert. Her initial years were promising, as she broke records and entered the top 10 WTA rankings at the age of 14.

She won her first Rogers Cup in 1991 and the next year, the former world number won the gold medal in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, defeating Steffi Graf. Although her career didn’t go as many envisioned, she still retired with three Grand Slam titles and was later inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.