SportsLine.com recently spoke with Ashley. Here is what she had to say:

SportsLine: When did you realize that you were good enough to make tennis your career?

Ashley Harkleroad: When I was 8 or 9 I played every sport and my dad made me decide what I wanted to do.

SportsLine: What is the strongest part of your game right now?

Ashley Harkleroad: My groundstrokes. I have a pretty good serve and I'm working on my volleys right now.

SportsLine: What is your favorite thing about being on the court?

Ashley Harkleroad: The competition. I like playing in tournaments much more than I like practicing.

SportsLine: Who has had the biggest influence on your game?

Ashley Harkleroad: My dad because he's always pushed me. He knew that I had talent.

SportsLine: Who has been your favorite player to watch?

Ashley Harkleroad: Anna Kournikova -- I don't know why. I also like to watch (Martina) Hingis because she's so smart on the court. I get to practice with her sometimes because she trains at the same place I do.

SportsLine: Do you ever get discouraged with your game?

Ashley Harkleroad: If I'm going through a slump I do.

SportsLine: How do you turn that around?

Ashley Harkleroad: My coach helps me. I used to get really down, but now I tell myself just not to worry about it. I know I can hit the ball well. Sometimes watching a tape of myself winning gets me back up.

SportsLine: Who is the nicest player you've met on the tour?

Ashley Harkleroad: I don't really know a lot of the players, but (Martina) Hingis always stops to talk to me or comes to see me play if we're at the same place.

SportsLine: Have you ever been intimidated by an opponent?

Ashley Harkleroad: Not in the last two years or so. I get really nervous before every match, but I can deal with it fine.

SportsLine: Does the prospect of playing anyone in particular intimidate you?

Ashley Harkleroad: No, I think I can handle it fine.

SportsLine: Do you ever argue with umpires?

Ashley Harkleroad: Yes, if I get bad calls I get really mad. I argued a call at the Eddie Herr Championships for about 5 minutes.

SportsLine: Do you feel like you lost any part of your childhood because of the demands of training and travel?

Ashley Harkleroad: Yes, I've had to move away from friends before and I haven't really been able to do the same things that my normal friends can do like go to a party on a Friday night. I didn't really want to leave all that behind (she moved from her hometown of Flintstone, Ga. to live at the Saddlebrook resort in Tampa, Fla.) I don't have a normal life. I couldn't go home for Christmas this year and I wasn't happy about that, but I had to do it. It will all be worth it one day.

SportsLine: Do you have a boyfriend?

Ashley Harkleroad: I like a lot of different guys. I'm young, I don't need to be settling down.

SportsLine: What would you like to pursue after you retire?

Ashley Harkleroad: Right now I don't think I will want to have a job. I'm not really a school person. I would like to be married and have a family. Maybe I would do some commentating.

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