PACIFIC LIFE OPEN

March 13, 2004

Maria Sharapova

THE MODERATOR: Questions for Maria.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah. You know, I had to step in. She played an amazing match, you know. Sometimes you just got to expect that. It's not easy when you know that you haven't played a match and she already has. She's got a little bit more feel to it. But she definitely played -- I mean, she played as maybe one of the Top 20 girls today, that kind of level. So I thought I really had to step up and play better than I usually would in a first-round match. But I was happy to get it through, you know. It's just one of those days where, you know, you never know what it's going to be. But today turned out to be pretty high.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I was. I kind of calmed down. You know, I don't know why, but all of a sudden, you know, I won 12 out of 13 points in the last three games. So that was pretty good.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Just be positive. Just go out there and play your game and, you know, be tough. I don't know. Just keep saying positive things to yourself.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: No, I mean, I served pretty hard. I mean, in the third set, I thought I was serving as hard as I could. Like, you know, I couldn't serve any harder. But she still got the ball back. But, you know, that's what you have to expect. She played a tremendous match. There's nothing that I can say. I had to definitely step up my level, just the serve and everything.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: No.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Really? No, I didn't have a match scheduled with her. I thought when I came to the academy, I thought I would play a few of the Bollettieri girls to get a few matches in, but I didn't schedule a time with her or anything, no.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I'm sure she's a great young player. There are many right now that's here. But, you know, I'm going to wait till Monday and play her the Monday.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: No, it's not an argument. I mean, tennis is a business. I know that. All that matters to me is when I get on the court. You know, my next match is Monday, and that's what I'm looking forward to.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: No.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: No, I mean, I've seen her play a little bit. But, no, I don't know her.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: No. I mean, I told somebody at the academy that I wanted to play a few girls there before coming out here, before coming to LA - I was going to LA. That was right after Memphis - I said I'd definitely like to play a few of the girls. But I didn't schedule. I didn't give them a date. I didn't give them a time. I didn't give them any of that information. I did end up playing a few matches with the other girls and boys.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: No, no. I mean, like I said, this is a business. All I care about is when I go on the court and when I perform. And that's what I'm all about. When I got off the court, anything can happen all around. What matters to me is when I get on the court. That's why, like I said before, I'm just going to wait till Monday. That's where all my business happens.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: No, I never think about that. But thanks for the compliment.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, you know, I mean, like I said, she's a young player. You know, sometimes that's just what happens. I mean, like I said, it doesn't bother me at all. I know who I am inside of me. I just can't wait till Monday just to play. So doesn't really bother me at all.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: No, I don't really care. When I go on the court, doesn't matter who it is, it's just numbers. A not ranked player or ranked player, No. 1 in the world, I just want to win. That's what I want to do with every player. I don't care who it is.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, no, I didn't think I could beat everybody. But I did have in my mind that I could win. I don't think I've never in my life went to a tournament and thought that I really don't think I should be here. I mean, unless I was sick or something, or if I wasn't feeling well. But other than that, when I go to a tournament, you know, I know that I want to win, that's the bottom line. If that's not my attitude, then I don't know what I'm doing there.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: With her?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: No, I think there's a lot of WTA Tour staff, and there are a lot of programs and media training. I'm sure, because she is young, she's just come on the tour. I mean, they have a program where they teach about everything. I went through this. I mean, you have to learn about everything. I'm sure she will. I wouldn't worry about it.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I'm not offended. I don't need to solve anything.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Afraid? Afraid of what?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I am afraid?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: That's what she said?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: No, I've never even known her before, so I don't know. I've never even thought about her in my life.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: That was a while ago.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I was battling a flu. I really ran out of gas in that tournament. I mean, I fought well in the first set with her. I had so many chances in the first set, just experience. But I did run a little bit out of gas in the second. I thought I could have pulled out the first.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I'm going in here pretty confident. I think I've worked pretty hard in the last few days, few weeks. I'm looking forward just to competing and getting some matches in again and working on my game, doing the same thing as I always do at tournament.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yes, he came out today.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: No. I mean, sometimes, yes, Nick, I see. Sometimes when I'm practicing, Nick comes on the court, you know, just talks to my dad a little bit, gives him some advice. Yeah, definitely. But usually, you know, I either hit with a sparring partner from there or a kid that's practicing there.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, I definitely think my game has improved. I definitely got a lot more experience. That's what I'm very thankful for. That's the only thing that I think I'm looking for while I'm 16 years old. I definitely got it, and I feel more experienced. I feel in certain situations I can pull it out. Like today, I thought the experience counted a little bit more. I've been in a lot of those situations. I feel I'm mentally strong, you know, because I am, what, 24 in the world right now. I'm very happy because I've been able to show that I can play at such a level. Hopefully, you know, I can keep up with that throughout the year.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I don't know. When I think about it, it just drives me crazy. I could never imagine that I would be here, you know, No. 24 in the world two years later. I just don't think that would be in my mind two years ago. But, I mean, what can I say? That was my first big match. I was playing on Stadium Court. I won in three sets. I don't know. Then I played Monica, which was even greater. I lost like 0-2. I felt really good. The first thing when I came out is, "I played so unbelievable, but the score is 0-2. I think I played my best match ever, and it's 0-2." You're thinking, "What should I do next?" But I was very happy to get the opportunity to play her.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: No, no. I remember myself being very focused. I was very determined to play this tournament. I mean, I remember losing the first set of that first match, then I thought, "I can really do it, I can pull it through." I did. Then I got to play Monica.