Is Jennifer Capriati ready to make a comeback or just strapped for cash? She’s not quite ready for the courts at the moment, but she appears to be taking a stab at e-commerce, with cyber superstore eBay auctioning a variety of her possessions.
Although the auctions are not set up by the three-time Grand Slam champion herself, they claim to be selling the items on her behalf.
“Tennis Great and American Icon Jennifer Capriati is cleaning out her closets! Jennifer has decided to part with some of her Louis Vuitton Bags,” the ad touts.
“This bag would be a great holiday gift for yourself or someone on your list and a great added bonus that a Tennis Champion personally carried this bag.”
It appears that Capriati had the same keen sense for accessories as she did for winning tournaments. The seller has five Louis Vuitton handbags and a Louis Vuitton belt said to belong to the former world No. 1. There’s also a pair of Tod’s boots, which brings about an interesting bit of information: Capriati’s shoe size, a healthy size 11! Not to worry, Paris Hilton is believed to wear the same size – perhaps they can share?
The auctioneer also states that a “personalized, signed” photograph of Capriati will be given to the auction winners.
Similar auctions for handbags owned by Reese Witherspoon, the Olsen twins, and other celebrities appeared on the site but were sponsored by a magazine with proceeds being donated to charity. The nature of Capriati’s auction remains unclear.
Capriati has been sidelined from the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour with a string of injuries ranging from shoulder and back problems to a hamstring injury. The last year she was active was 2004, when she missed the Oz Open due to injury but reached the quarterfinals or better at the remaining three Slams.