Maria Sharapova admits she may have played her last-ever match at the Australian Open.
The 2008 champion, who has handed a wild card to play in Melbourne this year, has been knocked out in straight sets, 6-3 6-4, in the first-round by Donna Vekic.
"I don't know," the world number 366 said to reporters when asked if she'll be back to play the 2021 edition of the Slam.
"I was fortunate to get myself to be here and thankful to tournament director Craig Tiley and the team allowing me to be part of this event. It's tough for me to tell what's going to happen in 12 months' time.
"I don't know if I can look at the ranking and really think about it in depth just because I really haven't played and I was injured most of the year. I certainly have to take that into account.
"I put myself out there. As tough as it was, I finished the match and it wasn't the way that I wanted.
"There is no way to get out of it except to keep believing in yourself because, if you do do all the right things and you don't believe in yourself, then that's probably a bad formula."
The Russian also conceded it'll be difficult to return to a level which saw her land five Grand Slam titles:
"I don't have a crystal ball to tell you if I can or if I will, but I would love to."
