AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 21, 2001

Anna Kournikova

MODERATOR: First question for Anna, please.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, I'm definitely really happy with the result, and it's great to be playing so well in a Grand Slam again.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I think I didn't start off too well. You know, we hadn't played each other in a long time. Barbara kind of is the player that mixes it up a lot. She plays really slow. I had to get used to her game. She gives no rhythm. Plus, I made a lot of mistakes. After that, I think after 3-all, I got used to it and I started to play just really well.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, I think that I didn't serve first of all too bad. I still have my stomach problem, so that gives me a little discomfort. But I think, you know, in the second set I served really well. And, you know, me and Lindsay, we had some tough matches. I have a good record against her. I've beaten her a few times. So, you know, I'm not playing my best for sure right now but I will go out there and try to play and fight as much as I can and, you know, we'll see what happens. Sometimes it's a good day; sometimes it's a bad day. So hopefully I'll have a good day.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: United States what?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, it definitely feels good to say that, but, you know, it's been a while ago. It's been almost six months I think, or something like that, five months. And we're definitely playing different right now. I think that I played really well in the summer, so that was probably the difference. But, you know, it's the beginning of the year. I don't think anybody is playing their best tennis, so like I said, I'm just gonna try to go out there and have a good day.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: No, it feels like yesterday actually. I remember everything as yesterday. Time flies, huh. You know, every time I got to the fourth round of a Grand Slam, you know, I wasn't really seeded or I was seeded but I always played in the fourth round, you know, higher-ranked players. I lost to Lindsay here before, Mary and Martina and so I've always kind of lost to the players that were, you know, either winners or, you know, got far. So this time I had a little bit of luck also. I played in the fourth round an unseeded player. So actually it feels just great to be back and playing well in a Grand Slam.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, of course I like my vacation time. Definitely I miss tennis when I'm not playing. For example, when I had my stress fracture injury, I wasn't playing for three months. I was real excited to be back playing and I couldn't wait just to start playing. It's our life. We're so used to it. I think it's just difficult right away, you know, do something else. So I really miss it, and every time that I have an injury, I'm hoping to get back as soon as possible.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: No, I'm playing great. It's been a good stay.