NASDAQ-100 OPEN

March 27, 2005

Alicia Molik

Q. Alicia, the first set was a bit up and down, got off to a break and then let her back into the match.

ALICIA MOLIK: Yeah, I mean, you know, it's not a break until you hold, is how the old saying goes. But, yeah, I guess I was a little bit relieved to get such an early break. Gisela is one of those players, she can get on a roll with her returns, Especially she's got a pretty good backhand return. In saying that, it was a lazy game, just a couple of errors. You know, she gained a little bit of confidence and momentum from that. So I lost the first set 6-3.

But nevertheless, I knew what I had to do to get back in it and consolidate and then get through that third set.

But, I mean, a scratchy match. It wasn't the best. But still to get through, I'm pretty happy.

ALICIA MOLIK: Yeah, no, I wasn't -- I mean, there was no reason to be concerned or worried. You know, I made a lot of errors in that first set so, you know, I didn't really feel like she won the set; I felt like more or less I made the majority of the errors, which gave her the set. So, you know, it was a matter of understanding what I needed to do in the second and third sets, which pretty much I did. It was hard out there with the blustery conditions. I did find it a little bit difficult out there. But, no, there were no panic stations after losing the first set.

ALICIA MOLIK: Yeah, it's been a while, I think, since I've played Justine or seen Justine play. You know, it's going to be a good match. I think, you know, she hasn't played a lot of tennis in the last couple of months, so it's a very good opportunity for me. She's beaten me the last couple of times. I'll be going out there and taking it to her, being aggressive, hitting some big serves. I like the conditions here, so they're, you know -- the balls in the courts are taking my kick quite well, so I'll try and do a lot of that tomorrow.

ALICIA MOLIK: Oh, I mean, you know, the other night when I played it was absolutely still. Today it was very blustery. But the wind is something that I can use for me, you know, if I'm smart about the way I play. It can add to my game, it can add to my serve, it can add to my spin and my speed. But, I mean, it's blowing down both ends. It's not like it's just down my end or just down my opponent's end. It's a matter, I think, of who gets less frustrated as well.

ALICIA MOLIK: Yeah.

ALICIA MOLIK: Yeah, well, nothing's set in stone right now. But I think at this stage in my career, I think it's, you know, I'm away a lot, I play world sport. I think it's very important that I have global representation. I've had a wonderful time with Pete, it's been an incredible time together. He's very much like family, so... But, you know, there comes a time when I think you need to make decisions, and I've made that decision. Nothing is quite set in stone just yet, but I think it's a good move for me, a very important move at this stage in my career.