A Slideshow Of Mary's Career

 1996

Seeded fourth for the second straight year, Mary began the defense of her Australian Open title. She beat Petra Schwarz 6-3,6-1 in the first round.

Suffered a heart breaking loss in the second round to Elena Likhovtseva. The 4-6,4-6 loss ended Mary's 18 month stint in the top ten. At her press conference, Mary put on a brave face, saying:

"I am very disappointed that I am out so early, but there's always
next year and it gives me time to prepare for my next tournaments.

Mary also faced another dilemma when her coach Nick Bollettieri was forced to divide his time between her and his latest recruit Mark Philippousses of Australia. Philippousses was playing on the center court at the same time when Mary was truggling on Court One, forcing Bollettieri to share matches as a spectator. Though in her press conference, Mary said she saw nothing wrong in having to share her coach with Philippousses, she split with Nick after the tournament.