Thursday, September 8, 2011
Capriati, Kuerten, Kafelnikov nominated for Hall
NEWPORT, R.I. - Grand Slam title winners Jennifer Capriati, Gustavo Kuerten and Yevgeny Kafelnikov, along with coach Nick Bollettieri are among the nominees for the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Capriati turned pro at age 13 and wound up winning three major championships and an Olympic gold medal. Kuerten won the French Open three times. Kafelnikov won the 1996 French Open and 1999 Australian Open. All three were ranked No. 1. Also up for induction in the Class of 2012: 1975 U.S. Open champion Manuel Orantes; Thelma Coyne Long, who won 19 major titles in singles, doubles and mixed doubles in the 1930s, '40s and '50s; the late wheelchair player Randy Snow; promoter and administrator Mike Davies; and Eiichi Kawatei, who worked to boost tennis in Asia. The induction is July 14.