2001 The Ericsson Open
Date: 2001-03-21
Oremans def. Harkleroad 4-6, 6-4, 6-3

Question Ashley, just talk about the experience, a little different coming back here for this than for Continental Cup, I would think?
Answer Yeah, I guess like Continental Cup was much different than this. I play Orange Bowl here, too, and since then I feel like I've gotten much better. But today I played much, much better than I did in Orange Bowl and everything, so... The experience out there was -- I felt I would be more nervous than I was, so I was happy about that. And I played pretty well today.

Question Is this your first seniors event?
Answer It's my first main draw, biggest tournament. I played US Open, but only qualis.

Question What were you feeling, you won that first set. What's going through your mind?
Answer I just thought that -- I just think that, "Just start the second set like a new set, just like the first set." I got down 4-2, then I came back to 4-all, and she had a couple of good volleys and good serves. I had my chances at 4-all, but I couldn't get them. And I played maybe just a little -- not as well as the first set. Started not playing so aggressive; she started playing more aggressive in the second set, coming to the net more.

Question You were having good luck with the passing shot early, then had a little trouble getting some of those to fall. Was that a difference for you?
Answer My passing shots weren't as good as the first set. I felt she was putting far more pressure on me in the third set, and I put too much pressure on myself. I felt like I had to make them too good.

Question Where have you played all your tennis? Tennis schools or...?
Answer I used to play in Georgia until I was 13 or 14, then I moved to Tampa. I trained at Saddle Brook Tennis Academy.

Question Who were your heroes or heroines, rather?
Answer As a tennis player?

Question Yes.
Answer Probably Martina Hingis, I like Kournikova a lot. Maybe I like -- I think I like Kournikova better than Hingis.

Question Why is that?
Answer I really don't know. I like to watch her play, and -- but I feel like Hingis is, you know, a very good player.

Question People have kind of mentioned your name in the same breath of Kournikova for other reasons than just tennis. Does that make you feel awkward at all, or flattering?
Answer It doesn't make me feel awkward. It's -- they just want there to be like a Kournikova but from the US I guess. I mean, I hope I can be that.

Question Plus win some tournaments presumably?
Answer Yeah. (Laughing.)

Question What have you done the first three months of the year since Continental Cup?
Answer I've been training only, and then I played an ITF Group One in Paraguay. This was a week before this tournament. I won that, now I came here.

Question What's with the red shoes? Are those off the shelf somewhere? Special deal?
Answer I haven't seen them on the shelf. This is what they gave me to wear. I don't know if it's special just for me. I have only seen Davenport wear them and that's it.

Question Are they your sponsors?
Answer Nike, yes. And Babolat.

Question What's next?
Answer I think I go to Atlanta to play a 25,000. Then I go to Europe for two tournaments and the French, then I come back home, then I go for Wimbledon and a warm-up tournament before Wimbledon.

Question You don't have to do any school?
Answer I have to do school on the road.

Question Do you take a tutor with you?
Answer No. My dad.

Question Does your dad -- is he a teacher?
Answer No, but I mean he can help me.

Question Is it like a correspondence course?
Answer No, I go to Saddle Brook Prep. I go for one hour a day and I do the rest of my school work at home.

Question If you play in Atlanta, would it be in the main draw? Would you have a potential wildcard there?
Answer Now it won't be. Maybe if I would have -- I have no more wildcards left until I turn 16. And hopefully if I can get in the qualis.

Question Do you feel impatient to get started, or are you quite happy with this age? You used to be able to turn pro younger?
Answer Nowadays, I think it's much harder to, you know, like Capriati, make it to the semifinals of the French Open at 14. I mean, the game has changed so much since then. I'm pretty content where I am right now. Sometimes I can get a little impatient. I would like to be doing better or things like that. I've only played three pro tournaments this year, and I'm doing all right I guess.

Question Do you know Capriati or any of her family well?
Answer Yeah. I train with her. We practice together sometimes because she trains at Saddle Brook. I'll play, you know, I've played matches with her a couple of times. I've hit with her. Lots of pros come in and out of Saddle Brook I get to train with.

Question Who was the person who encouraged you when you were younger? Was it your parents?
Answer My dad. Yeah. More of my dad. He's always there most of the time. I travel there for a while with the USTA and by myself, but now he will come with me everywhere probably.

Question What's your father's name?
Answer Danny.

Question Danny?
Answer Uh-huh.

Question Does he not work?
Answer No, he doesn't work.

Question He gave up his job to be with you?
Answer Yeah.

Question What was his job before?
Answer He worked at a printing company.

Question Still call you Pebbles?
Answer Not really. Every now and then when articles come out, they'll use that. I'm not from there anymore though.

Question How long were you in Georgia before you moved to Saddle Brook?
Answer My whole life, twelve years.

Question You've only been in Saddle Brook for a couple years now?
Answer Yeah, two years. It will be two years in August.