Telegraph UK Article: Jennifer Capriati May Have Overedosed On Drugs She Is Recovering At A Florida Hospital.

Jennifer Capriati in hospital following suspected drugs overdose

Jennifer Capriati, a Wimbledon semi-finalist against Gabriela Sabatini at in 1991 at the age of 15, has been rushed to hospital in Florida after a suspected drugs overdose.

By Brendan Gallagher
Published: 12:42PM BST 28 Jun 2010

Downhill: Jennifer Capriati has a history of drug-related problems Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Paramedics responded to a call from a hotel in Riviera Beach early on Sunday morning after the latest in a long line of incidents concerning the troubled former child prodigy.

Capriati was dubbed the ‘Can’t Miss Kid’ by the American press for her exceptional early talent and did claim three grand slam titles – and an Olympic title in 1992 – but she became as well known of the court for her troubled story of drug abuse, binge-eating, insecurity and thoughts of suicide.

The teenager began rebelling against her father’s strict discipline, with incidents of shoplifting in 1993 and drugs while as she gained weight her career began to spin out of control. She was charged with cannabis possession in 1994 and spent time in a drug rehabilitation clinic – and then spent two years struggling to mount a return to the game.

“When I looked in the mirror I actually saw this distorted image,” she later recalled. “I was so ugly and fat I just wanted to kill myself really. At the end of a match, I couldn’t wait to get off court. Mentally, I’d just lost it. I wasn’t happy with myself, my tennis, my life, my coaches, my friends.”

By age 25, however, she had battled her way back and in October, 2001 she claimed the world No 1 ranking after a series of victories. But two year later it was starting to come apart again and in July that year she admitted to suffering from depression and having suicidal thoughts again.

In April last year she appeared on US reality TV show ‘The Superstars’ – but eventually had to pull out after aggravating an old injury.