Maria Sharapova said she would have lasting memories of her first "real" homecoming despite a disappointing showing at last week's Kremlin Cup.

The world number one arrived in Moscow confident of winning Russia's biggest tennis tournament but was upstaged by fellow Russian teenager Dinara Safina in the quarter-finals.

"I would have loved to win in Moscow playing for the first time in front of so many Russian fans and of course I'm disappointed by losing," said Sharapova after being ousted by the younger sister of Australian Open champion Marat Safin.

"But, despite all that, I have a lot more good memories than bad of being here and I would love to come back next year."

The Florida-based Russian returned home yesterday to rest and prepare for the end-of-season WTA Championships in Los Angeles, where she will defend her title.

"This is my first real visit to Moscow because the last time I was here five or six years ago I was very young and didn't remember much," explained the 18-year-old, who left her homeland 11 years ago to pursue her career in the US.

"So, this time I've enjoyed my experience very much."

Sharapova visited Moscow's tourist spots, including the Kremlin and Red Square, had a trip to the circus and went shopping at some of the city's expensive boutiques.

She also found time for a party at the start of the $2.3 million tournament where she met some of Russia's pop stars and fellow high-profile athletes such as NHL All-Star Pavel Bure.

During her first news conference in Moscow, one reporter asked Sharapova if she was dating any hockey players, alluding to another well-known US-based Russian, Anna Kournikova who was married to Sergei Fedorov and also dated Bure.

Sharapova said she only knew Russian goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin, whose daughter plays tennis.

After saying she would love to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, Sharapova was invited to Putin's suburban residence.

Although the meeting was called off at the last minute because of an emergency situation in Russia's Caucasus region, Sharapova said she was hoping to meet him next time.

Sharapova received a warm welcome from a near capacity home crowd in her Kremlin Cup debut against German Anna-Lena Groenefeld with fans chanting "Masha, Masha".

"It was nice to hear them yell my name. The atmosphere was very much Russian," she said.

Although the crowd began cheering for Safina in her second match in Moscow, she still enjoyed the experience.

"Well, fans always root for the underdog," Sharapova said after being asked by reporters if she was offended.

It seems the only thing the 2004 Wimbledon champion did not like about her Moscow experience, aside from traffic jams, was the surface at the Olympic sports complex.

"The surface here is very dangerous as you can see from today's match," Sharapova said after Groenefeld slipped on the court and badly injured her ankle in their match. The German was forced to retire while leading 6-1 4-2.

Sharapova also confirmed her plans to play for Russia in the Fed Cup.

"I would love to represent my country in future," she said.