If you knew who Ashley Harkleroad was a couple of months ago, you're probably a hard-core tennis fan. She's ranked No. 72 in the world and has never advanced past the third round of a Grand Slam event, and that means that she was known only those who follow the sport passionately.But that all changed in May, when the news broke that Harkleroad was planning to appear in Playboy. The issue with Harkleroad on the cover has now hit newsstands, and you can bet she now has thousands of male fans who have never seen her play tennis.
For her part, Harkleroad says she hopes those Playboy pictures will change perceptions of female athletes' bodies:
For that, she may get some new female fans, too."For me, I have a very natural body," Harkleroad said. "I'm an athlete who is fit and not very big-busted at all.
"I'm proud of that. I wanted to show that female athletes, who are fit and muscular, can have very beautiful bodies just like regular models."
Athletes in Playboy
Ashley Harkleroad, seen here on the cover of the August 2008 Playboy magazine cover, is the first tennis player to pose for the men's magazine. Check out other athletes who have posed for Playboy.
Playboy Magazine
Swimmer Amanda Beard was the July 2007 Playboy cover girl and has also posed in the 2006 Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. In 2003, she became the world champion and record holder in the 200-meter breaststroke.
Getty Images for Speedo
LaTasha Marzolla, who has posed for numerous Playboy pictorials, pursues a career in professional full-contact K1 kickboxing under the nickname Venus. She was previously signed to a WWE contract.
A. Nevader, WireImage.com
Kiana Tom, an American model and fitness show instructor, shed her workout outfit when she appeared in a nude pictorial for the May 2002 issue.
Laurence Cottrell, Getty Images
Former professional wrestler and bodybuilder Joanie Laurer, also known as Chyna, has posed nude for Playboy twice. Her pictorial in November 2000 was reportedly part of the ten best-selling issues in the magazine's history.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images
Chyna isn't the only wrestling star to pose for the magazine. In April 2006, former WWE Women's Champion Candice Michelle posed for the cover along with a nude pictorial.
David Klein, Getty Images
Professional boxer and Tae Kwon Do champion Mia St. John appeared on the cover of Playboy in November 1999 and in an 11-page pictorial. The display earned her the nickname 'Bunny Boxer' by many boxing critics.
Robin Leedy & Associates / AP
Retired WWE wrestler and valet Torrie Wilson has appeared on the cover of several magazines, including FHM and Playboy, which she posed for twice. As a fitness competitor, Wilson won the Miss Galaxy competition in 1998.
Kristian Dowling, Getty Images
Professional volleyball player and sports presenter Gabrielle Reece has appeared on the cover of several magazines, including the January 2001 issue of Playboy with an accompanying nude pictorial.
Stephen Shugerman, Getty Images
WWE Diva and wrestler Maria Kanellis posed for the April 2008 cover of Playboy, which was incorporated into a WWE storyline. The 26-year-old was first asked to pose for Playboy when she was 19 years old, but originally turned down the offer.
Jeffrey Mayer, WireImage.com
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)
7-21-2008 @ 6:27AM
Dudley Haas said...
I won a grand slam at Dennys.
Reply
7-21-2008 @ 10:26AM
R said...
appreciate that you don't take this too seriously and that you found the humor in it...maybe Ms. Harkleroad needs to visit Denny's..???
7-21-2008 @ 4:36PM
Bradly said...
Ashley Harkleroad's playboy video here:
http://celebritiezvidz.com/video.php?v=Ashley_Harkleroad's_playboy_video
7-24-2008 @ 2:01PM
Roger said...
See all the PB pics in full glory here -
http://www.squidoo.com/AshleyHarkleroad
7-21-2008 @ 6:36AM
GEEMACK said...
At first I was disappointed that Ashley would bare all on the cover of Playboy, but now that I've seen the cover, I think it is very tastefully done. Good job, Ash.
Reply
7-24-2008 @ 2:04PM
Roger said...
See all the PlayBoy Pics Right Here -
http://www.squidoo.com/AshleyHarkleroad
7-21-2008 @ 6:45AM
LARRY A CHRISPYN said...
THERE ARE LITERALLY OVER ONE MILLION PICTURES OF MAGICAL MARIA WINNING MATCHES AND WINNING HEARTS. WHAT IS YOUR POINT IN PUTTING WELL OVER 100 BAD PICTURES OF HER LOSING A FEW WEEKS AGO.
Reply
7-21-2008 @ 6:58AM
Aaron said...
Anything to fatten the coffers, brazen stringy headed hoe!
Another form of prostitution, ugly, shameless hussy, just like the rest of her pornographic counterparts, a hoe is a hoe!
Reply
7-21-2008 @ 7:55AM
Scott said...
You must be a big hypocrite. I Bet if you had half her talent and looks, you'd be looking to provide a better life for yourself too, if you had the brains as well... not!
7-21-2008 @ 7:53AM
JayReuebn said...
Aaron...you need to get out more...you spell the particular variety of "hoe" of which you speak...without the "e".
7-21-2008 @ 8:29AM
doug said...
A well endowed, fit female body is a thing of beauty. it is completely natural and approaches art in it's form. I wouldn't expect a red neck prude like yourself to understand that, but let it suffice to say that not all males conjure up nasty perverted thoughts of ugliness when viewing the natural beauty of a young woman. .....Doug
7-21-2008 @ 9:11AM
Richie said...
It got you too read the article didnt it. I love when people claim to be so offended by something or someone but yet they still muster that strength too look at it dont they.
7-21-2008 @ 10:14AM
Terry said...
Hahahaha! A HOE is a HOE....and I guess a Rake is a Rake. Who's garden you been tending? LOL
7-21-2008 @ 12:58PM
john graf said...
Its not porn at all you nut.
7-21-2008 @ 7:30AM
Aaron said...
Amazing, anyone can make the most disparaging remarks regarding A-A's and they're posted immediately! But make one comment regarding any of the fair hair vixens, it's discounted and not printed. I did it to test the power of the press and the freedoms that are in accompaniment. That's AOL!
Reply
7-24-2008 @ 1:10PM
Eddie said...
Aaron: Don't worry bro, I'm sure A-Rod will grace an issue of Playgirl someday. Just keep up your subscription, and it;ll pay off eventually.
Oh, and uh, don't take this as a knock against "A-As", just you: Keep up the night school, bro. How many remedial english vocab words did you just break out for our benefit?
7-21-2008 @ 7:44AM
HeLTeR SKeLTeR said...
guys like aaron who come out publicly to bash these fine young ladies for making the CHOICE to show their beautiful bodies in a non exploitative way, are the same ones who rush out in trench coats, sunglasses and fadoras to the midnight adult book store to get their own copy, then tell the rest of us how wicked and sinful she is and we are for doing the same. Leave the girl alone, she's sweet, sexy, and comfortable enough within her own skin to not be ashamed of the marvelous body God gave her. There's nothing wrong with her posing, and nothing wrong with anyone looking at her posing. Pure ignorance and jealousy are the only reasons anyone would have a problem with this. the "god" who tells some of you this is immoral and sinful isn't the "God" I know of who created that same body...leave the girl be...and she IS NOT a whore..
Reply
7-21-2008 @ 7:53AM
RAY said...
i think a good looking girl hot to
Reply
7-21-2008 @ 7:54AM
lorraine elijah brown said...
She can't play anymore. That's why she found something new.
Reply
7-21-2008 @ 8:01AM
Cathy said...
Ashley athletes don't have get naked for the entire world to see that they have a fit body. Ashley shame on you for setting such a low example for younger athletes. Keep your clothes on and play tennis..
Reply