Teen shrugs off ranking

Beatrice Capra can't help but laugh at her WTA Tour ranking.

In a tennis universe that revolves around Serena and Venus Williams, the 858th-ranked Capra might as well be on Pluto.

''I never worry about my ranking,'' said the 17-year-old from Ellicott City, Md. ''As long as my game keeps improving, that's all I'm worried about.''

Capra is the lowest-ranked player at this week's USTA Pro Circuit Lexus of Las Vegas Open.

She has played in just two USTA Pro Circuit events, both in early March. Since then, she has been playing on the ITF Junior Circuit, meaning she hasn't been able to accumulate WTA computer ranking points.

Capra, a wild-card entrant, will pick up a few points today when she meets third-seeded Regina Kulinova at Red Rock Country Club.

''I don't have the experience of some of the girls, but if I keep working hard and growing, I can play with them,'' Capra said. ''But it is like starting from the beginning being so far down in the rankings.''

Capra has played plenty of tennis this year as a junior. She competed in all four Grand Slam events in juniors and reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open by beating Las Vegan Asia Muhammad in the third round.

''Making it to the quarters was a good experience for me,'' Capra said. ''Playing all the Slams really helped me.''

Capra is being home-schooled and faces a tough decision in the spring whether to turn professional or go to college.

''I think about it every night,'' Capra said of her future. ''But I want to see how high I can get my ranking up and then I'll decide.''

Her mother, Laurie, said whatever her daughter decides will be fine with her.

''If she takes care of what she needs to do day by day, the answer will take care of itself,'' she said. ''There's no downside. She can get a great education and play tennis. Or she can pursue her dream of playing professionally.''

Capra got a late start in competitive tennis. She first picked up a racket at age 7, but it wasn't until she was 14 and won the Easter Bowl tournament that she began to think seriously about making the sport her vocation.

''I've always been competitive,'' Capra said. ''I'm always going to fight on every point.''

She spent two years in Florida, then returned to Maryland last year, going to The Tennis Center at College Park. There, she works with coaches Frank Salazar and Vesa Ponka, and Capra said being close to home has given her a comfort level that serves her well on the court.

''I like the routine I have,'' she said of her home-schooling and College Park practice sessions. ''I can concentrate on what I need to do.''

She also has gotten into great shape thanks to a workout regimen used by Baltimore Ravens All-Pro linebacker Ray Lewis. Capra attended Optimum Fitness, which is run by Lewis' personal trainer and worked out side by side with Lewis during the summer.

''At first, I thought I was going to die, it was so hard,'' Capra said. ''But he kept pushing me to get through it, and it has really made a difference. I have more stamina, and I'm in the best shape of my life.''

Good enough, perhaps, to move up the rankings and join the rest of the tennis universe.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.