Sports

LET’S ALL SING THE RAINY-DAY BLUES – JENNY’S DAD SEES NO NEED FOR ASTERISK

If you want to get Stefano Capriati going, just mention the notion the women’s U.S. Open champion should have an asterisk by her name because of the absence of the Williams sisters.

“Baloney,” seethed Jennifer Capriati’s father in the players’ lounge yesterday. “The U.S. Open is the U.S. Open. Just because they’re not here, the tournament has no value? Baloney. There’s a lot of very good players here. [Kim] Clijsters, [Justine] Henin, [Amelie] Mauresmo, [Lindsay] Davenport, these are very good players.”

Still, Capriati has her best chance to win her first-ever U.S. Open, a tournament she cherishes, a title that would truly cement her legacy. Born in Mineola, L.I., Capriati has won two Australian Opens and a French Open. Ashe Stadium would be a joyful place if Capriati finally wins it and gets through the two Belgians.

Capriati has been safely in the quarterfinals since Monday and is still awaiting the winner of the Al Sugiyami-Francesca Schiavone match that has been delayed for two days by rain. She’ll be heavily favored in that one but Justine Henin-Hardenne could be up next in the semifinals.

That the Williams sisters aren’t here because of injuries – Serena had knee surgery and Venus a pulled abdominal muscle – is not the fault of Capriati, who’s professed all tournament that she wishes they were here.

Stefano says staying healthy enough to play is part of the competition. “Staying healthy is important,” he said. “It’s not like 10 years ago. It’s a lot more physically demanding. The ball isn’t hit slowly any more [on the women’s tour]. When they’re really driving the ball, it’s going 155 mph. It’s not easy to stay healthy, and you have a lot of preparation.”

Capriati is not at full strength herself, despite winning the New Haven event before the Open began. Stefano says Capriati still has shoulder pain – a result of a strained pectoral muscle that she has downplayed since arriving at Flushing Meadows.

“Most players are playing in pain and you have to overcome it,” Stefano said. “Everyone has something. As they say, ‘no pain, no gain.’ ”

Stefano and Richard Williams are the two most well-known tennis dads on the tour. Papa Williams has criticized Stefano’s handling of Jennifer for putting her on the pro circuit when she was 14.

When asked if Stefano missed having Mr. Williams around, he said, “No comment.”