[UPDATED] Nicole Vaidisova posts a win in her return to tennis - is Jennifer Capriati next?

Did anyone else catch the return of Nicole Vaidisova today at the ColemanVision Tennis Championships today?

Yup, she made her official return at the ITF Challenger in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and took on another former up-and-comer (although not as decorated), Sesil Karantantcheva. It’s been almost four-and-a-half years since the former world number seven played a pro match and so much had happened in between, including a marriage and divorce from Radek Stepanek and a couple of shoulder surgeries. But she had been teasing the return for weeks and then spelled it out on her Instagram feed:

Hey everyone! So I guess the news of me playing again in a couple of weeks is no secret i am excited to be competing again,its been a long road to get to this point...This time last year I was recovering from my 2nd shoulder surgery and going through a very personal heartbreak.I will be forever grateful for the unwavering support of my amazing family,friends and medical team to get me where I am now.I dont know how this will play out,but no matter the outcome, I know I will be proud of myself for giving it my all and for the person I have become through all this.Thank you for all the sweet messages and words of encouragment,it means the world to me and I truly appreciate the support I get from all of U

During the match it really didn’t look like much had changed. She still has the big serve and forehand, and did everything she could to run around her backhand and not come to the net. Her temper seemed to be intact as she swiped the court with her racquet and bounced it out of frustration all by the third game of the first set. She was even still working Reebok. Yes, REEBOK. But she regained her composure and took it to Sesil. Vaida was only broken once and managed to close out the match 6-3, 6-4 against the world number 191 with relative ease (there was a double-fault on one of her MPs). All good signs for the Czech lady baller as she continues to rebuild her game and confidence after such a long time away. Or as I said on Twitter:

BABY STEPS NICOLE
— rich rodriguez (@DTL_Rich) September 16, 2014

At least one person got my joke. Sadz. If you’re feeling nostalgic like I was while watching Vaida, check out some of the old posts about her here. Hope she can keep it up.

In other former-top-lady-ballers-on-the-comeback-trail news, it sounds like Jennifer Capriati is actually sniffing out a return of her own. Check out these tweets from the former WTA Penthouse resident:

Was planning on my 10yr tennis come back at this years open the last grandslam match I played.. But it will have to wait 1 more yr 😉 #itson
— Jennifer Capriati (@JenCapriati) September 2, 2014

This dream and desire has been festering inside me for so long. It has never been my destiny to never walk on that court and play again
— Jennifer Capriati (@JenCapriati) September 2, 2014

Miss the sweat and the tan!!! This is going to be fun pic.twitter.com/vxk2VabXmI
— Jennifer Capriati (@JenCapriati) September 2, 2014

Sounds like a return is in the works to me. It must be hard for Jennifer to accept the fact that an injury is what did her career in (like Vaida, Jennifer's shoulder was to blame). But at the age of 38, it’s going to be a lot tougher for her to return than Vaida. Sure, Serena Williams just won her 18th major at the age of almost 33, but she’s in tremendous physical condition, and she has ways of getting through games quickly and saving energy with her serve alone. For Jennifer, it’s more of a grind because her serve is meant as a starting point…not an end.

You could also make a case for her return by looking at the incredible effort by Kimiko Date-Krumm who will be turning 44 at the end of September. While there’s no doubt that the Japanese is an inspiration, she’s not winning major titles, or any titles for that matter. I’m sure the American, with her experience and competitiveness, would want to make an impact at the elite level. But I guess we’ll see. Stay tuned...this could get interesting.

UPDATE: ICYMI: Highlights from Nicole's win over Sesil.


[Photo credit: Getty Images]

(UPDATED) Capriati rushed to hospital after apparent drug overdose

More sad news for Jennifer Capriati.

The former top lady baller and 3-time Grand Slammer, whose tormented history in tennis and in her personal life is well documented, was rushed to the hospital this morning in an apparent drug overdose according to gossip site TMZ. The call came from a hotel in Riviera Beach, FL.

Her father, Stefano, told the site she is recovering well.

Thoughts go out to the Capriati family. Let's hope Jennifer recovers quickly and gets the help she needs.

I'll update this post as more news is release.

UPDATE: AP reporting J-Cap recovering from an "accidental overdose" of prescription medicine according to her spokesperson.

UPDATE #2: Who knew she was, or is, dating a porn star name Dale DaBone? Heh, I said DaBone. Oh, and he had something to say about J-Cap's latest drama.

[Photo(s): Getty Images]

Discuss: Reeshard vs. J-Cap

So after today's shocking news about Richard Gasquet I have a question: Does anyone else see the Frenchie as the ATP's Jennifer Capriati?

I see too many similarities between his on-going saga and J-Cap's.

Discusssssss...

SIGHTING: Separated at birth?

While watching Venus Williams' demolition of qualifier Kira Nagy during last night's US Open 1st round match, we couldn't help notice the Hungarian's striking resemblance to a former World No. 1: Jennifer Capriati. Kira even has J-Cap's overbite down pat.

ROUND ROBIN: Jennifer returns, Lleyton opens up, Daniela hits the clubs

A champion's return: 3-time Grand Slam champion Jennifer Capriati made a special appearance this past weekend at the Tier I Acura Classic. Though she recently discussed her struggles with depression, J-Cap was all smiles this day, looking summery in her boho-chic moment. Could this be a sign of her return back to the tennis court?

A kindler, gentler Lleyton: Lleyton Hewitt, who has teamed up with World No. 2 Rafael Nadal for doubles at this week's Rogers Cup, seems to be in a better place these days as well. Now managed by trusted former Tennis Australia administrator David Drysdale and coached by Tony Roche, who most recently worked with Roger Federer, the Aussie is reportedly more open and approachable. Could this transformation be much deeper than just a marketing ploy? (via adelaidenow)

Clubbing it: When shorts-loving Slovak Daniela Hantuchova isn't powering groundies, she enjoys hitting something else: the golf course. Though not anywhere near as capable on the green as she is on the tennis court, she has had some success. "I've got a hole-in-one at the Hopman Cup in Australia," said the World No. 10 from the East West Bank Classic. "I loved it right from the start. For me, it's a great way to relax and get away from everything." (via LA Daily News, image courtesy of AP Photos)

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: depression, thoughts of suicide, and her fight to survive

Former child prodigy and 3-time Grand Slam champion, Jennifer Capriati, has been sidelined for almost 2 1/2 years with debilitating shoulder and back injuries. Her last professional match was a 6-0, 6-1 loss to Vera Zvonareva of Russia in November 2004. In a very personal interview with The Olympian, Jennifer, now 31 years old, discusses the injuries, her past struggles with burn-out and drugs, thoughts of suicide, and the struggle to come to terms with her life now.

On her depression:

“If I was at the height of my game, beating Serena Williams, I was on top of the world, but something was still missing inside,” Capriati says. “The happiness factor wasn’t there. I’m still struggling to find out what that is. I’ve always been self-critical. I struggle with trying to like and love myself on a daily basis.”

On the suicidal thoughts:

“Sometimes you get to a point where you can’t stop what you are thinking,” Capriati says. “It’s like you’re being taken over by a demon. You just feel there’s no way out of this space you’re in. It feels like the end of the world. When you are just so exhausted and tired of feeling that way, you (think), ‘I want to be off this planet right now, because I just feel disgusting inside. I can’t even stand my own skin, and I just want to get out.”’

On her injury-induced withdrawal from tennis:

“When I stopped playing, that’s when all this came crumbling down,” Capriati says. “If I don’t have (tennis), who am I? What am I? I was just alive because of this. I’ve had to ask, ‘Well, who is Jennifer? What if this is gone now?’ I can’t live off of this the rest of my life.”

On her outlook for the future:

"I have a choice. Am I going to let this defeat me, and make me not even want to be here? Or am I going to do something to not let this break me down, and maybe help other people? That’s the mission I’m on now, to find happiness and positiveness in the future.”

(image courtesy of Allsport)