Sharapova will play through pain for Open
( AP )
Updated: 2006-01-13 09:18

"If you want my confidence to be up, I have to say myself," she said.

She'll be coming off a low-key buildup, playing only five events in the latter part of last season.

"I think I need a few matches to prepare," she said. "I'm not going to be playing my best in the first round, but I'm sure gradually as I go, I'm sure my form will come back to normal."

Sharapova lost to Serena Williams in the Australian Open semifinals last year despite serving for the match in the second and third sets.