AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 20, 2004

Ashley Harkleroad

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

ASHLEY HARKLEROAD: I didn't think that I played up to my potential, really. I was, you know, a bit nervous. It was my first time, you know, on Rod Laver. You know, my first time to play her. I wasn't sure how she was gonna play, but I felt like she played really well, and I didn't really take -- I wasn't really as aggressive as I wish I could have been. I let her pretty much take over the points.

ASHLEY HARKLEROAD: You know, I thought when I went out there that maybe since she hasn't played since Wimbledon, she's going to be a little rusty. But she really wasn't. I didn't really get a good rhythm out there with her; either it's a winner or miss or something like that. I felt she played really well considering that she hasn't played a match in a long time. You know, they are a little intimidating because they're big and they're the Williams sisters. I really wasn't intimidated. I think I was just a little overpowered and I wasn't being aggressive like I could have been.

ASHLEY HARKLEROAD: Yeah, it's a good experience because now I can learn what I need to work on a little bit.

ASHLEY HARKLEROAD: Yeah, you know, learning how to play in that atmosphere, I mean, it's good. I'm only 18 years old, so hopefully I have a lot of times to be out there. You know, was kind of not a very good draw here for me but I've had a pretty good year starting out, in the finals a week before this. It's been okay. It's just a good learning experience for me to learn what I need to work on to beat players like that, or to be a little bit better.

ASHLEY HARKLEROAD: Well, I think I need to learn, you know, more to be -- more aggressive when you play a player like Venus, when she's hitting the ball so deep and, you know, she's very powerful, and just learning how to turn it around and maybe get myself on the offensive instead of always be on the defensive.

ASHLEY HARKLEROAD: That's kind of personal, but, you know (smiling). You know, I'm happy. That's it. Very happy (smiling).

ASHLEY HARKLEROAD: I think I'm maybe the youngest (smiling). Yeah, I think that I'm pretty young. I mean, so is she. But, you know, we have a little bit of different lives, and, you know, we have to grow up quick on the tour especially, and when you're happy and, you know - I don't know. I can only say what I feel, and I'm very happy right now.

ASHLEY HARKLEROAD: Right.

ASHLEY HARKLEROAD: It's nice because when he's here and I'm here, I can see him. Probably, I'd be able to see him more than if I was dating just a normal person because he does play tennis, too, and he travels and, you know, there's a lot of similar tournaments, and we both live in Miami. So, you know, I think I see him more than if I was just dating somebody normal.

ASHLEY HARKLEROAD: When I was 12 years old, we were friends up until --

ASHLEY HARKLEROAD: No, no (smiling). But I've known him since I was 12 years old. He's my best friend, too, so...

ASHLEY HARKLEROAD: Maybe a couple years ago, off and on.

ASHLEY HARKLEROAD: Sometimes. But if he comes home with me to see my family, we'll practice and he'll help me. But, you know, more just hitting around and keeping my confidence high, you know, telling me that everything looks great or whatever. I mean, he's very honest, but, you know, he'll help me if he sees something. But I have my own coach, so...

ASHLEY HARKLEROAD: I tried to watch a little bit of him but I think we both kind of had very difficult draws here. And, you know, I felt like he played pretty well. In the third, maybe not so well. But other than that, I think we both can see what we need to work on.

ASHLEY HARKLEROAD: Probably long because I'm young still. We don't even really talk about it, when it will happen, because I'm only 18 still. I don't think my father would be too happy if it was soon (smiling).