AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 24, 2004

Maria Sharapova

THE MODERATOR: Questions for Maria.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I think -- I don't know. I think maybe lacking a little bit of experience, you know, in those kind of matches. Not just experience, you know, but I feel that I'm still, you know, sort of like missing something. You know, I think it's just going to take just time, you know, just to get me ready. You know, definitely I had so many chances in the third set. You know, second set I just basically blew her away. In the third set, you know, made some stupid unforced errors, you know, when I didn't really need to. But, you know, those kind of things, you know, I think will just take experience, just things here and there.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: That was a factor because I lost?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: That's because I lost?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: No. I was playing a tournament. I don't understand.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: That's why I lost, because I was actually playing a tournament?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Oh, no, no, no. I mean, it's just experience because I am only 16 years old, you know. I've only played -- my last year is my only full year on the tour. I mean, I know the players and I know this. But, you know, it's not easy in your second year just to go and to know everything. You know, it takes a lot of time. And I know that. I'm just going to be very patient.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: No. I just -- no, I don't have any goals. I don't want to push myself to somewhere, you know, wherever I have to be. I know if, you know, I work hard, if I keep my head cool, I think I'll be ready. You know, I just need some time. I don't want to really set any goals for myself.