Stunning, I know. Playboy has had other female athletes in other sports bare it all, but never a professional women's tennis player. That streak ends, and the honor goes to...Ashley Harkleroad.
Ashley Harkleroad, the 61st-ranked American who lost to Serena Williams 6-2, 6-1 on Sunday in the first round of the French Open, said she posed for the August edition of Playboy magazine.A few reasons? Well, let's see. She's 23 years-old and she is now ranked 61st in the world. Her highest ranking was 39th back in 2003. She's been on the circuit for almost 8 years. She has 0 WTA titles. Already married, divorced and engaged once more. Largely unknown to most of the public.
"I thought about it, and it was something that I did," Harkleroad said after the match. "I'm proud of my body. I was representing a female athlete's body."
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"There's a few reasons why I did it, but I can't really go into it right now," she added. "But like I said, I really didn't think it was that big of a deal. I'm proud of my body. I stay in shape and try to stay fit."
I'd say it has a lot to do with a flagging career that hasn't even reached the lofty standards of the "American Anna" she was expected to be. She might as well see if she can get some attention and perhaps pull in a few appearance fees to add to her bank account. before she is completely forgotten.
Athletes in Playboy
Ashley Harkleroad announced she will be in the August edition of Playboy magazine. "I thought about it, and it was something that I did," Harkleroad said. "I'm proud of my body. I was representing a female athlete's body." Check out other athletes who have posed for Playboy.
Clive Brunskill, Getty Images
Swimmer Amanda Beard was the July 2007 Playboy cover girl. In 2003, she became the world champion and record holder in the 200-meter breaststroke.
Getty Images for Speedo
Two-time Olympic champion Katarina posed nude in an issue for Playboy in December 1988.
Manu Fernandez, AP
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
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
Three-time Olympian Amy Acuff appeared on the cover of the magazine for the 2004 edition dubbed "The Women of the Olympics." The former high jump champion is also known for her career as a model, including other cover appearances.
Playboy Magazine / AP
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 World Wrestling Entertainment Women's Champion Candice Michelle was also featured on the cover.
David Klein, Getty Images
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-26-2008 @ 11:55AM
George B Vieto said...
She will have her fifteen minutes of fame and then go on to a normal life.
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5-26-2008 @ 11:55AM
Tanning Lotion Guy said...
Yea, this is the new "card" to play for celeb wannabes who just aren't making it.
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5-26-2008 @ 11:56AM
Devon Hartman said...
She is so nice so let her have her time in the lime light, besides im going to buy it just to see her.
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5-26-2008 @ 11:56AM
nickstoli said...
Fellas, save your money and don't buy this. Playboy "Celebrity" photo shoots are always lame. Always. They're MAYBE a little more revealing than the SI swimsuit issue.
Reply
5-26-2008 @ 11:57AM
Penny said...
Of course. Although I'm glad that finally the female athlete's body is getting...praise (versus the boob jobs), still, it is generally only the least talented or least skilled of any public profession that does this. Top-notch actresses and athletes just don't take it off, for the most part. It's really a way of whoring yourself, in my opinion. How sad.
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5-26-2008 @ 11:58AM
Dick in Boca said...
Serena Williams said she would not pose for Playboy. I got news for you Serena, there isn't enough room on the page to fit your rear end muchless your whole body. Playboy wants fit bodies. You belong in a curves commercial.
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5-26-2008 @ 11:58AM
June Zimmerman said...
if she is doing it because she wants to show that she takes care of her body-give me a break,then why does she have her tongue out.clue,please.its a clue.
sullie
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5-26-2008 @ 3:23PM
savinbiller said...
Another reason why serena will never be in playboy: you would need a super duper wide angle lense to photgraph her ass.
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5-26-2008 @ 3:24PM
savinbiller said...
there is nothing wrong with ashley posing in playboy. she worked long and hard to get that body. maybe this will loosen up the rest of the "ladies" on the tour to possibly join her in the pages of playboy.
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5-26-2008 @ 5:16PM
mgoduke said...
too bad they couldn't convince maria kirilenko.
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5-27-2008 @ 1:12PM
Jeremy said...
Chicks that look like this are never forgotten, they just stop being on TV. There are plenty of men giving them attention until they die. As for Serena being in Playboy, if Queen Latifah, the most disgusting black woman I have ever seen, can do a commerical for Jenny Craig, then Serena can be in Playboy. Serena is good looking and seeing Queen Latifah makes you not want to eat, ever.
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5-27-2008 @ 1:35PM
ipscshooter said...
Playboy's first tennis player? What about Katerina Witt?
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5-27-2008 @ 3:43PM
John Palmeri said...
If you can't see the cooter don't waste your money unless its heart shaped.
Wings
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5-27-2008 @ 3:43PM
ipscshooter said...
Oops... I was thinking Gabriela Sabbatini, and somehow managed to type Katarina Witt...
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5-30-2008 @ 10:39PM
DAVID said...
Dick, you have no idea what fit is. Serena is fit from head to toe there is not a bit of fat on her. Do you know the difference between fit and fat? You obviously can't be much into fitness yourself not to be able to tell the difference. Think before you speak.
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6-25-2008 @ 9:54PM
truthBtold said...
Serena fit? Sure if you consider 25% body fat fit. When is the pie eating contest scheduled between her, Kuznetsova and Bartoli? Oh sure....they should be paid te same as the men.
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6-25-2008 @ 9:54PM
truthBtold said...
If Serena has 9 doughnuts, 4 vanilla and 5 chocolate and can eat 5 a minute, and Bartoli has 12 doughnuts, 7 vanilla and 5 chocolate, and can eat 9 a munte who will finish first, what will be the ratio of vanilla to chocolate, and how much room will they have left for a couple of pieces of pie?
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6-26-2008 @ 7:41PM
Okey moronu said...
Jesus guys!, lay off Serena. She is an athlete and a well deserving champion. She was asked to comment on a fellow athlete posing nude, she offered support for the individuals choices and said she will not do it herself. She was asked and she answered whats is it with you guys, she did not do or say anything offensive or insulting to anybody or about anybody, so why ragging her.
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7-21-2008 @ 7:50AM
Hako said...
Some guys apparently think only skinny girls are normal or fit. Thats ridiculous of course. Being skinny is not a natural state for most women, even athletes. I admit that Bartoli is quite over-weight, and she admits to eating too much candy. But Kuznetsova's stocky hips and legs are mainly muscle. Serena has carried extra pounds now and then, but she looks pretty good lately, and those curves have nothing to do with lack of fitness.
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7-21-2008 @ 10:25AM
Joe said...
The bottem line is she is offering herself up as the main attraction for a spank fest. Her parents will be so proud.
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