"I was having a heart attack, it was gut-wrenching" - When Jennifer Capriati's brother Steven was nervous during American's French Open final win

Jennifer Capriati's brother Steven was nervous during her Grand Slam win at the French Open. The incident took place in 2001.

Capriati was already a Major champion when she arrived at Roland Garros, having won the Australian Open earlier that year by defeating Martina Hingis in the final. The American was the No. 4 seed in Paris.

The 48-year-old began her campaign with a straight-set win over Emilie Loit. She then defeated Tathiana Garbin, Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, Meghann Shaughnessy, sixth seed Serena Williams, and top seed Martina Hingis to advance to the final.

In the championship match, Jennifer Capriati faced Kim Clijsters, who had just become the first Belgian woman to reach a Grand Slam final. Both players gave it their all, but it was the American who triumphed with a score of 1-6, 6-4, 12-10, lifting the Suzanne-Lenglen Cup.

Capriati's father Stefano and brother Steven were present as she pursued another Slam glory. Steven later revealed to the media that he was so tense during the "gut-wrenching" match that he felt like he was having a "heart attack."

"I was having a heart attack. I told my dad at 5-all, 'I can't watch anymore.' It was gut-wrenching," Steven Capriati said (via ESPN).

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Jennifer Capriati: "If it were up to me I'd put the talent that's in me, into Steven"

Jennifer Capriati and her brother Steven pictured at Wimbledon 2001

Jennifer Capriati's brother Steven also played tennis but is now an attorney.

He played collegiate tennis for the University of South Florida and the University of Arizona before turning pro. In 2001, he teamed up with his elder sister to play mixed doubles in the Wimbledon Championships, but they were eliminated in the opening round.

Speaking to the media during Wimbledon 2001, Capriati expressed her support for her brother Steven's decision to pursue tennis, stating that she would have given him her talent if she could.

"For him to finally be here, though, has always been a dream of his. He wanted to become a tennis player also. I would give anything to give the opportunity to him play the singles, you know, be in the spotlight," Capriati said.

She added:

"If it were up to me I'd put the talent that's in me, into him. He's talented. I mean, it's so difficult for the guys anyway. But he's got it in other areas, he has many options in what he wants to do."