The interaction of single-electron atoms with a strong laser field is studied in the Wigner representation. The Wigner function is a quasiprobability function in phase space that allows one to study position-momentum correlations. These correlations give a physical interpretation of the emergence of the above-threshold-ionization (ATI) energy spectrum. Conversely, the quantum-mechanical interference between electrons from neighboring photon orders can explain the spatial bunching of the electron density by the laser field. Furthermore, the Wigner function offers one a rather accurate and relatively efficient quasiclassical estimate of the bound-state population. This method is applied to laser-induced electron-ion scattering and the stationary regime of the bound-state population can be determined. The present calculations are performed for a one-dimensional Rosen-Morse potential. Extensions to general spherically symmetric atomic potentials are indicated.