Former US tennis star Capriati up for battery trial

Former tennis star Jennifer Capriati is to go on trial on December 17 in a stalking and battery case involving her ex-boyfriend.

The 37-year-old Capriati is accused of punching Ivan Brannan while he worked out at a gym on Valentine’s Day. Authorities also say Capriati stalked Brannan for months earlier. The charges are misdemeanours.

Capriati’s lawyer calls the accusations false. The trial date was set at a hearing in Palm Beach Floirda today that Capriati did not attend.

She is a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame who began her professional career aged 13. She won a gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and later won the French and Australian opens. She was arrested for shoplifting and marijuana possession in the 1990s.