Former world number ones and three-time grand slam winners Jennifer Capriati and Gustavo Kuerten have been elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Officials of the sports honour shrine announced on Friday that the former US teen star would be the final person to be inducted on July 14 during the ATP grasscourt event at Newport, Rhode Island.
Capriati will be joined by Kuerten of Brazil, Spanish legend Manuel Orantes, promoter Mike Davies and the late wheelchair tennis star Randy Snow.
All receieved at least 75 per cent support from a selection panel.
"I'm thrilled. This is a dream come true and an extraordinary tribute," said Capriati.
"Tennis has been my passion and dedication for my entire life and to be acknowledged for this passion and dedication is truly icing on the cake.
"I truly feel humbled to be a part of history and am honoured to be considered among the greatest of all time."
Capriati, 36, reached the finals in two of her first three WTA events as a rookie in 1990 and won her first tour title at Puerto Rico.
Two years later she defeated Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in the Barcelona Olympic women's final.
After a hiatus during most of the span between 1994 and 1998, Capriati staged a successful comeback starting in 1999.
She helped lead the US Fed Cup team to the title in 2000 and became world number one in October 2001, staying on top for 18 weeks.
Capriati won the 2001 and 2002 Australian Open titles and the 2001 French Open.
In her second Australian triumph, she rallied from 6-4 4-0 down to defeat Martina Hingis in the final, saving four match points.
Capriati retired for good in 2004 with a 430-176 record and 14 career singles crowns.
Kuerten is regarded as one of the best clay-courters of all time, having won three French Open titles between 1997 and 2001.
He won back-to-back titles in 2001 and 2002 when he also spent 43 weeks as the world number one before he was succeeded by Leyton Hewitt.
From this point onwards injuries hindered his career. But for these the Brazilian may have added more Roland Garros crowns to his name.
AFP
Tags: sport, tennis, united-states, brazil First posted April 14, 2012 10:42:21
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