  $\textbf{Background:}$ The deuteron shows the essential features of
short-range correlations found in all nuclei. Experimental observables related
to short-range correlations are connected with the high-momentum components of
one- and two-body momentum distributions. An intuitive understanding of
short-range correlations is provided by the suppression of the two-body density
in coordinate space at small distances.
  $\textbf{Purpose:}$ The Wigner function provides a quasi-probability
distribution in phase-space that allows to investigate short-range correlations
as a function of distance and relative momentum in a unified picture.
  $\textbf{Method:}$ The Wigner function for the deuteron is calculated for
bare and SRG evolved AV8' and N3LO interactions and investigated as a function
of distance, relative momentum and angular orientation. Partial momentum and
coordinate space distributions are obtained by integrating over parts of phase
space.
  $\textbf{Results:}$ The Wigner function shows a pronounced low-momentum peak
that is not affected by short-range correlations and a high-momentum shoulder
at small distances that reflects short-range correlations. Oscillations of the
Wigner function are related to interference of low- and high-momentum
components.
  $\textbf{Conclusions:}$ Short-range correlations are a truly
quantum-mechanical phenomenon caused by interference of low- and high-momentum
components in the wave function.
