Turned professional at the tender age of 13 and became the youngest ever player to reach the world's top 10 after winning her first title in Puerto Rico in 1990. A run of injuries hampered her in 2000, but Capriati's recovery was complete in January 2001 when she won her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.
Following her 2001 Australian Open triumph, Capriati maintained her impressive for the rest of the year. Extended her winning streak to 10 after Melbourne by reaching the tournament final in Oklahoma City, and reached further finals in Miami, Charleston and at the German Open. In June, became the first American since 1986 to win the French Open when she defeated Kim Clijsters 1-6, 6-4, 12-10 in a classic final at Roland Garros.
Hopes of a memorable Grand Slam sweep were shattered, though, when Capriati lost 2-6 6-4 6-2 to another Belgian, Justine Henin, in the semi-finals at Wimbledon. Another final followed at the Canadian Open before Capriati reached the last four at the U.S. Open in her birthplace of New York. In October, the 25-year-old capped a magnificent year by ending Martina Hingis's 73-week run as the world number one.
Capriati began 2002 in similar fashion to 2001 – by winning the Australian Open in Melbourne. In one of the most amazing turnarounds in tennis history, she fought her way back from a set and 4-0 down in the second to beat Martina Hingis 4-6 7-6 6-2 in the tournament final, saving four match points in the process.
