AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 21, 2006

Anastasia Myskina

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: Well, been practicing pretty hard and really want to do well here because it's the first Grand Slam. And I think how you start and you gonna get some confidence and you gonna play well then.

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: Well, you know, I took a long break after Zurich. I didn't play any tournaments. Even that if I would play Linz and then maybe Philadelphia, I had a chance to be in championship, I still decide not playing. Because I need a break because I understood if I will practice well, then this year would be much better for me. And of course the family reason. Now it's -- everything is good. I'm happy and I'm really enjoy the time that I spend on the court right now.

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: Well, I start practice in December, December first. I also spend New Year at home. I change this time. I didn't come to Australia really early. I think that helped a lot because I spend lot of time with my family and it gave me lot of energy, no, and energy to play and be here right now.

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: Yeah, I came one week early in Australia so it's good enough.

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: For me, yes.

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: Well, was -- the break was like more than month, so it was good one.

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: No.

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: Yes, definite. There was no nothing. No gym. No tennis. I was just sleep, eat, and I felt great.

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: Well, you still have to take really seriously each match because every girl trying pretty hard. Next match, I'm not really think it's really open draw because Patty or this Nakamura girl, they, both of them, really good players, especially Patty. But I think if I play my best, then I can win next match. I really love Australia and I love Melbourne. Doesn't matter how I play here, just really enjoy the time that I be here before and right now.

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: That it finish really like one hour, because was so hot. Even right now, the players not playing because the heat on. I'm really happy that I finish pretty early.

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: Yeah, that's definite not my -- well, I don't like wind and I don't really know how to use the wind when I play. So today I was really concentrating, focus for each point, and try to play every ball and fight for every point.

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: No, it was gusting around. That's the tougher part right now.

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: No. I try to play my game and I try to hit the ball. But sometimes, you know, it's stupid to hit if you know the wind's against you or if you play with the wind. So you have to think a lot in this conditions. I think I do this well sometimes.

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: Yeah, definite. Improving my serve. And I really practice hard on my serve. Even that maybe not the best, but I felt really my second serve improved.

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: Well, it's tough to say really. It depends, you know. I really don't really know. But if I will play my best, I can play pretty good here.

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: Oh, definite depends how you play. You play bad, you drop. You play good, you go up. Right? So if I can play my best, then I can go in top 10 again. When I saw that I'm 14 or 12, you know, I didn't feel anything because I realized that I wasn't play that good. I'm not good enough for top 10 right now definite. That's why I'm not there. But if I can fight and, you know, being like - I don't know - calm on the court, then I can be top 10 again.

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: No, because was fast match. Before, with Jackson, was pretty tough. We play like long match, so...

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: Well, yes. I don't know even why it's happen, but definitely was not as hot as like right now. For me maybe was long match. It was two hours almost. I couldn't catch my breath. The doctor really helped me at that time.