AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 20, 2005

Barbara Schett

THE MODERATOR: Obviously, as you all know, it was Barbara's last singles match. She still has mixed doubles. Questions for Barbara, please.

BARBARA SCHETT: Well, the decision was made already kind of middle of last year. I thought if I'm not improving, if the passion is not coming back, then I definitely want to quit. I always thought that I should be ranked much higher than I was at the end now. Yeah, it was -- for me, it was a clear decision. Even if I would have played really well here, I would have stayed with that decision. I played Australia because it was my favorite tournament, favorite Grand Slam tournament especially. And, yeah, to escape a little bit from the winter in Austria. Yeah, I always loved it here. That's why I wanted to quit here.

BARBARA SCHETT: Not very emotional until she had match point, then suddenly I was - I don't know - I had tears in my eyes. I was like, "Oh, my God. Where does that come from now?" I knew that sooner or later I was going to realize, "Okay, this is going to be my last -- this is going to be the last point of my career." It's been what I've been doing for all my life. Yeah, I just suddenly realized that and it was very emotional.

BARBARA SCHETT: Both (laughter). Both, I would say. I had a great time. I mean, I think I'm very happy about my career. Of course, it's going to be something completely new now. I think it's going to be a big change, very exciting (smiling).

BARBARA SCHETT: I'm going to take maybe a few months off and then I'm still going to be involved in tennis in some kind of a way, maybe like working at a tournament in Austria, in Linz, or maybe do some commentating. I don't know, I'll find out in the next few months. I'm going to see what options I have and what I'm interested in. But I'm definitely going to stay involved in tennis.