The year 2001 marked a significant period in Jennifer Capriati's tennis career, as she secured multiple major singles titles and made a strong return to the top ranks of women's tennis. Her performance across the Grand Slam tournaments that year showcased her resilience and skill, culminating in her first Australian Open and French Open titles. These victories were not just personal milestones but also represented a powerful comeback for the American
player, solidifying her position among the sport's elite.
Dominance at the Australian Open
Capriati's Grand Slam success in 2001 began with a commanding performance at the Australian Open. She defeated Martina Hingis in the final with a score of 6–4, 6–3, claiming her first major singles title. This victory was particularly notable as it propelled Capriati back into the top 10 of the WTA rankings, a position she had not held since 1993. Her journey to the title included overcoming Lindsay Davenport, the defending champion, in the semifinals, a rematch of their semifinal encounter from the previous year.
Beyond her personal achievement, the 2001 Australian Open also marked a significant moment for the sport itself. It was the first time the tournament officially adopted equal prize money for both men and women. This decision made the Australian Open only the second major to do so, following the US Open's pioneering move in 1973, and predating similar changes at Wimbledon and the French Open in 2007.
French Open Glory and a Challenging Final
Following her success in Australia, Capriati continued her impressive run at the 2001 French Open, where she secured her first title at Roland Garros. In a hard-fought final, she defeated Kim Clijsters with a score of 1–6, 6–4, 12–10. This victory marked her second major title overall in a single year, further cementing her resurgence in the tennis world. The final against Clijsters was a testament to Capriati's tenacity, as she battled back after losing the first set.
Kim Clijsters, her opponent in the French Open final, also made history by becoming the first Belgian woman to reach a major singles final. Her path to the final included an all-Belgian semifinal victory against Justine Henin. The tournament also saw the first major appearance of future Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli and the French Open debut of future champion Francesca Schiavone, who reached the quarterfinals, her best result at the tournament until her title run nine years later. The 2001 French Open was also notable for being the last major to feature only 16 seeds.
The Indian Wells Open and a Boycott
While Capriati was making headlines with her Grand Slam victories, the 2001 Indian Wells Open presented a different narrative, though it still involved prominent players of the era. Serena Williams defeated Kim Clijsters in the final, 4–6, 6–4, 6–2, to win the women's singles title. However, this event is perhaps more remembered for the boycott by both Williams sisters, Serena and Venus, who did not return to the tournament until 2015 and 2016, respectively. Their boycott was in protest of alleged racist remarks by crowd members during the tournament. Lindsay Davenport, the defending champion, lost in the quarterfinals to Serena Williams, highlighting the competitive landscape of women's tennis during this period.
