Ashley Harkleroad Hasn't Won a Grand Slam, Has Won Thousands of Male Fans

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 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."

For that, she may get some new female fans, too.

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