Jennifer Capriati, former tennis star, accused of battery, stalking by ex-boyfriend, report says

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Jennifer Capriati in Wimbledon, England on June 27, 2004

/ AP Photo

(CBS) -- Former tennis star Jennifer Capriati was questioned for numerous battery and stalking allegations stemming from a Valentine's Day domestic incident at a Florida health club, The Palm Beach Post reports.

Pictures: Ex-tennis star accused of stalking, battery

Police said there was probable cause to arrest 36-year-old Capriati for "battery for punching and pushing" her ex-boyfriend Ivan Brannan Jr. and "stalking Brannan on a constant basis from phone calls, text messages, showing up at his gym, his place of work and following him" in recent months, according to a police report.

The former world No. 1 player was not arrested and it was unclear Saturday whether she will be charged, according to the newspaper. It will be up to a judge to decide whether to issue an arrest warrant.

Natalie Mikolich, a spokesperson for Capriati, denied the allegations and called them "an over-exaggeration," according to the Post.

Brannan reportedly complained about Capriati's behavior to the police eight times since they ended their 10-month relationship in February, the newspaper reports.

According to the Feb. 14 police report, Capriati walked into a health club in North Palm Beach, Fla. and punched Brannan four times in the chest. A yoga instructor broke up the fight and Brannan locked himself in the locker room and called the police. He later showed them the red marks on his chest, the Post reports.

Capriati reportedly drove off after the incident, and police pulled her over blocks away from the gym. Mikolich called the police report "one-sided" and said Capriati "will have a new announcement in the upcoming days," according to the newspaper.

Brannan also provided police with seven other incident reports in which Capriati allegedly harassed and stalked him constantly after their break-up, according to the Post. Police advised Capriati in June 2012 to avoid contacting her ex-boyfriend.

Brannan reportedly tried to get a court injunction in August 2012 for protection against Capriati, but he was denied.

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Ex-tennis star accused of stalking, battery

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by zenonine March 14, 2013 1:38 PM EDT: Yeah, and if the sexes were reversed,the guy would be in jail now.; Reply to this comment


by 1pheasant1 March 11, 2013 8:07 PM EDT: She wasn't much on a clay court, but she could sure play on grass!; Reply to this comment

by berlinfoto-2009 March 11, 2013 6:31 PM EDT

Years ago back in Sociology class in college, I was given an assignment about violence against women within the family. In the journals that I read, it was stated that women commit as much violence against men as vice versa.
The violence against men in the home and family is totally ignored by our society.
There exist no shelters for battered men, who are battered and stalked by women.
Instead of teaching boys and men not to strike a woman we should teach all not to strike.

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by myfault2 March 11, 2013 8:17 PM EDT: That's the same information that I discovered. Unfortunately, that isn't politically correct to bring up.

by bobnjersey March 11, 2013 3:07 PM EDT

[A yoga instructor broke up the fight and Brannan locked himself in the locker room and called the police. He later showed them the red marks on his chest, the Post reports.]
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he sounds a bit like a 'girly man' ... yoga instructor breaks up the fight ... and he hides in the locker room?

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by john92021 March 11, 2013 6:51 PM EDT: lucky she didn't have a tennis racket.


by goffredo29 March 11, 2013 2:45 PM EDT: It's clear that 20th Century feminism has failed in some key areas and that we a Men's 21st Century-ism to remedy that.; Reply to this comment

by tb91006 March 11, 2013 1:54 PM EDT

Looks like we need a Violence Against Men Act instead.

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by csparish1956 March 11, 2013 9:16 PM EDT: Excuse me, I can hardly type for laughing. A Violence against Men Act, is that right? You bring me the statistics honey, then we'll talk....

by sweetcakesmaria March 11, 2013 1:51 PM EDT

Sound like a little inequity in the administration of the laws to me. Had he done all of the above mentioned stuff to her, you can believe that he would have been arrested for domestic violence and would have a court date to go before a judge.

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by oldoc44 March 11, 2013 2:55 PM EDT: Exactly right; this sort of favoritism for women in criminal arrests and incarceration and even sentencing is widespread and despicable. Women's groups need to be pushing for equal treatment in this venue too! This glaring disparity leads to a disconnect and lowers their credibility as they seek equality across the board.


by csparish1956 March 11, 2013 9:17 PM EDT: I would guess it's more about celebrity than gender.

by j_flood March 11, 2013 12:35 PM EDT

One day in Tampa, Capriati's father drove his old BMW into the service department of the dealership I worked in at the time. When I told Mr. Capriati that he wasn't entitled to a 'free' rental car while his car would be repaired. He immediately burst into rage - screaming, telling me off, threatening, oh he was a real joy. You could understand why he was banned from her matches. To coin a phrase - "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree".

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by oldoc44 March 11, 2013 2:56 PM EDT: Sounds about right...but frankly, I never figured her for a "BOYfriend" but rather a gal partner. Who knows nowadays anyway...